Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation.
The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/nutrients.htm In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:
1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.
2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.
3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.
4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.
5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.
6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.
About The Author
Get helpful information on vitamins, amino acids, herbs, minerals and other nutrients for a healthier life - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/nutrients.htm.
If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareI'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
Olive oil is a healthy choice over other fats such... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
When it comes to planning a healthy diet, fat is... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
How Can... Read More
Dieting is a pain. I think basically everyone would agree... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More
All of my life I believed the best way to... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
Are you worried yet about your health? Are you anxious... Read More
It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More
I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..Scandinavian fishermen are a healthy bunch. It had long been... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
Milk is highly underrated. Experts say, America finds itself in... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
The total calories that you should be consuming depend on... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Cholesterol finds its way into our bodies in two main... Read More
How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays... Read More
Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
For all I prefer to buy my fresh produce at... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
Nutrition |