Superfoods Solution For Healthy Heart
Paul Hata asked:
Heart disease is number one killer among both men and women in the United States. And though we all realize that eating nutrient-dense healthy foods help reduce the risk, we may not know which foods are the best choices to battle this deadly disease head on.
The key is stepping up fiber and choosing unsaturated fats. Eating unsaturated fats, like omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil, can help to reduce triglycerides. And a diet rich in soluble fiber, which is often found in legumes and some fruits and vegetables, helps to decrease LDL cholesterol levels.
Many people think popping a multi-vitamin supplement to get their nutrients is just as good as what comes from real foods. They don’t realize that it is far better to get vitamins and minerals from natural foods and juices. Our bodies utilize the vitamins and minerals from real foods more efficiently.
Many of the supplements available today use fillers and binders to hold them together, plus coatings on the tablets themselves. These are products the body does not need and will not use. Some people find they are allergic to the dyes and fillers used in vitamin pills. However, the body uses the fiber that binds fruits and vegetables
Sardines are an awesome source of omega-3 fatty acids, along with calcium and niacin. You can prepare fresh ones on the grill, or canned sardines work great in salads or sandwiches. Mackerel is another excellent source of omega-3s, and is full of selenium, which is an antioxidant mineral which may help protect the body from heart disease and cancer. A great way to get omega-3s on the go is by grabbing a handful of walnuts for an afternoon snack. Add some to your green salad, or give chicken salad a nutrition boost by adding ground walnuts.
Kidney beans are an affordable source of high fiber, are low fat, and have no cholesterol. Add them to salads and chili, as they truly are almost a perfect health food. Since canned varieties tend to be higher in sodium, try to use the dried varieties whenever possible.
Whole-grain barley is rich in soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, which is good for combating constipation. It’s also a good protein source and has a good supply of iron and minerals. Choose whole-grain barley cereals, or substitute whole-grain barley for rice and pasta side dishes once a week.
Oatmeal is a great way to boost your fiber content early in the morning, and it also has a low glycemic index, which helps to provide lasting energy stave off hunger. Choose rolled oats, and add some raisins, apples, and honey for flavor. Instant oatmeal isn’t a healthy option as it’s usually loaded with sugar.
Caffeinated Content
Heart disease is number one killer among both men and women in the United States. And though we all realize that eating nutrient-dense healthy foods help reduce the risk, we may not know which foods are the best choices to battle this deadly disease head on.
The key is stepping up fiber and choosing unsaturated fats. Eating unsaturated fats, like omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil, can help to reduce triglycerides. And a diet rich in soluble fiber, which is often found in legumes and some fruits and vegetables, helps to decrease LDL cholesterol levels.
Many people think popping a multi-vitamin supplement to get their nutrients is just as good as what comes from real foods. They don’t realize that it is far better to get vitamins and minerals from natural foods and juices. Our bodies utilize the vitamins and minerals from real foods more efficiently.
Many of the supplements available today use fillers and binders to hold them together, plus coatings on the tablets themselves. These are products the body does not need and will not use. Some people find they are allergic to the dyes and fillers used in vitamin pills. However, the body uses the fiber that binds fruits and vegetables
Sardines are an awesome source of omega-3 fatty acids, along with calcium and niacin. You can prepare fresh ones on the grill, or canned sardines work great in salads or sandwiches. Mackerel is another excellent source of omega-3s, and is full of selenium, which is an antioxidant mineral which may help protect the body from heart disease and cancer. A great way to get omega-3s on the go is by grabbing a handful of walnuts for an afternoon snack. Add some to your green salad, or give chicken salad a nutrition boost by adding ground walnuts.
Kidney beans are an affordable source of high fiber, are low fat, and have no cholesterol. Add them to salads and chili, as they truly are almost a perfect health food. Since canned varieties tend to be higher in sodium, try to use the dried varieties whenever possible.
Whole-grain barley is rich in soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, which is good for combating constipation. It’s also a good protein source and has a good supply of iron and minerals. Choose whole-grain barley cereals, or substitute whole-grain barley for rice and pasta side dishes once a week.
Oatmeal is a great way to boost your fiber content early in the morning, and it also has a low glycemic index, which helps to provide lasting energy stave off hunger. Choose rolled oats, and add some raisins, apples, and honey for flavor. Instant oatmeal isn’t a healthy option as it’s usually loaded with sugar.
Caffeinated Content
Maintaining a Healthy Heart
Bardnurz Sham asked:
The human heart is about the size of a clenched fist. It is located under the breastbone between the lungs (just left of centre) and is made up of four chambers. Blood flows through these chambers in a pattern that supplies all parts of the body with oxygenated blood and returns blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation.
There are two types of blood vessels, arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart and are elastic, which enables them to withstand the pressure of blood being pumped with force.
Veins carry back to the heart. By the time blood reaches the veins, blood pressure has dropped. Veins are not elastic, but have small valves that keep the de-oxygenated blood from flowing backwards.
When kept healthy and strong, the body’s network of veins and arteries should work as efficiently in an older body as a younger one.
Take care of your heart.
The body’s ingenious design means skin, muscle and a sturdy ribcage protects the heart from injury. The real risk to the health of our heart comes not from injury, but from failing to take proper care of this vital organ.
Happily, maintaining a healthy heart is relatively simple, and it’s never too late to start. Do you smoke? If you do, the first step is to quit. Even occasional smoking has been proven to be detrimental to the health of your heart. Regular exercise is essential to help maintain weight and keep the heart strong. It is also important to limit fats in the diet particularly animal fats derived from meat and full fat dairy foods.
Enjoying health to a ripe old age is common in many Mediterranean communities where diet is based on olive oil, vegetables, fish, nuts, fruits, grains and pulses. Many doctors and naturopaths believe that it’s the low levels of cholesterol that make the Mediterranean diet an excellent model for those wishing to maintain their cardiovascular health.
Include in your diet:
- Seasonal fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, onions, red and white cabbage, cucumber, potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
- Fresh fruit, rich in antioxidants.
- Fish, particularly oily varieties such as sardines, mackerel and salmon.
- Fresh herbs, especially parsley, mint, basil, thyme, coriander, oregano and dill.
- Whole grains cereals, brown rice, oats, wholemeal bread and pasta, millet, buckwheat and barley.
- Lean meat, chicken and eggs.
- Nuts and seeds, small amounts of almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
- Sea vegetables, nori, arame and wakame.
Soy foods and tofu.
Keep to a minimum:
- Full fat dairy foods.
- Refined white flour products, white bread, pasta, biscuits and cakes.
- Salt.
- Saturated fats, butter, matured cheeses, fatty meats and fried foods.
Exercise:
Exercise is extremely important for the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. In addition to keeping the heart itself strong, exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduce pressure on the heart. You don’t need to become gym junkie. A brisk 30 minute walk at least three times a week can make a huge difference to your health.
Supplement with CoQ10:
CoQ10 occurs naturally in the body and levels decline with age. A CoQ10 supplement assists in maintaining a healthy heart, in particularly the function of the heart muscle. CoQ10 has been shown to reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Caffeinated Content
The human heart is about the size of a clenched fist. It is located under the breastbone between the lungs (just left of centre) and is made up of four chambers. Blood flows through these chambers in a pattern that supplies all parts of the body with oxygenated blood and returns blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation.
There are two types of blood vessels, arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart and are elastic, which enables them to withstand the pressure of blood being pumped with force.
Veins carry back to the heart. By the time blood reaches the veins, blood pressure has dropped. Veins are not elastic, but have small valves that keep the de-oxygenated blood from flowing backwards.
When kept healthy and strong, the body’s network of veins and arteries should work as efficiently in an older body as a younger one.
Take care of your heart.
The body’s ingenious design means skin, muscle and a sturdy ribcage protects the heart from injury. The real risk to the health of our heart comes not from injury, but from failing to take proper care of this vital organ.
Happily, maintaining a healthy heart is relatively simple, and it’s never too late to start. Do you smoke? If you do, the first step is to quit. Even occasional smoking has been proven to be detrimental to the health of your heart. Regular exercise is essential to help maintain weight and keep the heart strong. It is also important to limit fats in the diet particularly animal fats derived from meat and full fat dairy foods.
Enjoying health to a ripe old age is common in many Mediterranean communities where diet is based on olive oil, vegetables, fish, nuts, fruits, grains and pulses. Many doctors and naturopaths believe that it’s the low levels of cholesterol that make the Mediterranean diet an excellent model for those wishing to maintain their cardiovascular health.
Include in your diet:
- Seasonal fresh vegetables, especially leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, onions, red and white cabbage, cucumber, potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
- Fresh fruit, rich in antioxidants.
- Fish, particularly oily varieties such as sardines, mackerel and salmon.
- Fresh herbs, especially parsley, mint, basil, thyme, coriander, oregano and dill.
- Whole grains cereals, brown rice, oats, wholemeal bread and pasta, millet, buckwheat and barley.
- Lean meat, chicken and eggs.
- Nuts and seeds, small amounts of almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
- Sea vegetables, nori, arame and wakame.
Soy foods and tofu.
Keep to a minimum:
- Full fat dairy foods.
- Refined white flour products, white bread, pasta, biscuits and cakes.
- Salt.
- Saturated fats, butter, matured cheeses, fatty meats and fried foods.
Exercise:
Exercise is extremely important for the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. In addition to keeping the heart itself strong, exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, which reduce pressure on the heart. You don’t need to become gym junkie. A brisk 30 minute walk at least three times a week can make a huge difference to your health.
Supplement with CoQ10:
CoQ10 occurs naturally in the body and levels decline with age. A CoQ10 supplement assists in maintaining a healthy heart, in particularly the function of the heart muscle. CoQ10 has been shown to reduce oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Caffeinated Content
Pecans For Weight Loss : Keep a Healthy Heart With Overdone Pecan Nuts
Stacy Carolin asked:
Pecans: Lose Burden with roasted Pecan Nuts
Matching to the researches of medical and university fields, it has been distinguished that cooked pecans have charged effects to the health of an individual. But it is not only roasted pecan nuts that you get to obtain health gains. It does not matter if the nuts are direct or roast, you will still be able to acquire its historic nutrients. When your diet plan lets in pecans, you have a broad bump of glowering down your cholesterol level. Aside from this, works show that these nuts extremely consist of antioxidants, availing you wash off the toxins from your body. When it comes to the top ten food roots that are high in antioxidant, pecan nuts rank high. Early findings of reports also show that this nut mixed bag has holdings that help fight off special cancer typecasts.
Slop Spare Pounds with Pecans
If you want to Spill excess Burden, you can admit roast nuts to your meals or snacks. subjects show that this nut sort will help you lose Burden. After you have achieved your intended Weight, you can keep it this way by eating pecans. Eating burned pecan nuts aids in raising the coordinate of your metabolism. It keeps you feeling satisfied all the time. Adding roast pecans to your well-balanced diet everyday will help you lose Free Weight efficaciously. When you are feeling nostalgic but you do not want to feed too very much, you can just feed these nuts instead. One handful of pecans will offer you the energy to get on with your work until dinnertime.
Keep a Healthy Heart with overdone Pecan Nuts
One of the benefits that pecans allow is lessening the risk of heart diseases. You will be able to maintain a healthy heart by eating burned or plain nuts. This is because this nut provides you with the unsaturated form of fats, which is also called “healthy cholesterol”. Like lean meat, pecans are high in protein. The only difference is that these nuts are healthy and does not lead to heart problems. take this nut assortment, rather than meat products. These nuts are great summations to your favorite recipes, especially to pies. You will be able to get more nutrients, when you consume plain or burned pecans.
More Nutrient Salt-free Pecan Nuts
Pecans do not contain sodium. So you have no reason to interest about having to fill your body with salt. If you are recommended by your doctor to keep away from foods that are rich in salt, you can still consume toasted or direct pecan nuts. The marketplace sells different pecan merchandises, which are suitable for various health needs of nut lovers. Since you cannot consume foods that control sodium, you can opt for unflavored pecans. You can either go for clean, toasted, or candied nuts. No matter what the homework is, you will still be able to get all the nutrients that you need from this nut kind. If you want to keep your health in moderate, opt for this specific nut species.
Whether you are looking for direct or cooked pecans, the best place to look for them is on the Internet. One site that sells different preparation characters of this nut mixed bag is Tanner’s Pecans and Candies, where you can also buy pies and cakes that contain the nuts.
healthy heart
Pecans: Lose Burden with roasted Pecan Nuts
Matching to the researches of medical and university fields, it has been distinguished that cooked pecans have charged effects to the health of an individual. But it is not only roasted pecan nuts that you get to obtain health gains. It does not matter if the nuts are direct or roast, you will still be able to acquire its historic nutrients. When your diet plan lets in pecans, you have a broad bump of glowering down your cholesterol level. Aside from this, works show that these nuts extremely consist of antioxidants, availing you wash off the toxins from your body. When it comes to the top ten food roots that are high in antioxidant, pecan nuts rank high. Early findings of reports also show that this nut mixed bag has holdings that help fight off special cancer typecasts.
Slop Spare Pounds with Pecans
If you want to Spill excess Burden, you can admit roast nuts to your meals or snacks. subjects show that this nut sort will help you lose Burden. After you have achieved your intended Weight, you can keep it this way by eating pecans. Eating burned pecan nuts aids in raising the coordinate of your metabolism. It keeps you feeling satisfied all the time. Adding roast pecans to your well-balanced diet everyday will help you lose Free Weight efficaciously. When you are feeling nostalgic but you do not want to feed too very much, you can just feed these nuts instead. One handful of pecans will offer you the energy to get on with your work until dinnertime.
Keep a Healthy Heart with overdone Pecan Nuts
One of the benefits that pecans allow is lessening the risk of heart diseases. You will be able to maintain a healthy heart by eating burned or plain nuts. This is because this nut provides you with the unsaturated form of fats, which is also called “healthy cholesterol”. Like lean meat, pecans are high in protein. The only difference is that these nuts are healthy and does not lead to heart problems. take this nut assortment, rather than meat products. These nuts are great summations to your favorite recipes, especially to pies. You will be able to get more nutrients, when you consume plain or burned pecans.
More Nutrient Salt-free Pecan Nuts
Pecans do not contain sodium. So you have no reason to interest about having to fill your body with salt. If you are recommended by your doctor to keep away from foods that are rich in salt, you can still consume toasted or direct pecan nuts. The marketplace sells different pecan merchandises, which are suitable for various health needs of nut lovers. Since you cannot consume foods that control sodium, you can opt for unflavored pecans. You can either go for clean, toasted, or candied nuts. No matter what the homework is, you will still be able to get all the nutrients that you need from this nut kind. If you want to keep your health in moderate, opt for this specific nut species.
Whether you are looking for direct or cooked pecans, the best place to look for them is on the Internet. One site that sells different preparation characters of this nut mixed bag is Tanner’s Pecans and Candies, where you can also buy pies and cakes that contain the nuts.
healthy heart
The Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Gift – a Healthy Heart
Claudia Pate asked:
Valentine’s Day is upon us. Everything from candy to purses to shoes to baking ware and supplies can be found now in red and pink with hearts on them or shaped as hearts. While hearts in February remind us of Valentine’s Day and the love we share with family and friends, the bigger event that could pass by almost unnoticed is the designation of February as Heart Month.
While I am not advocating giving up on romance this year, I encourage you to go one step beyond buying a gift or celebrating with a romantic dinner to taking actions to ensure that you and your spouse or loved one(s) will be around next year to celebrate Valentine’s Day together again.
The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) offers many tools to assess your heart health and put you on the road to decreasing your risk of heart disease or stopping it in its tracks.
By taking a short quiz, you can discover your risk for heart disease and register to receive a cookbook full of heart-healthy recipes. After answering a few questions regarding gender, age, height/weight, tobacco use, diet, physical activity, and your overall health, you will receive feedback on changes to make that will have long-lasting effects on your heart and overall health.
Additionally, you can join Start!, “the American Heart Association’s new national movement that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health through walking.” Even if you are not employed or your employer does not participate, you can join (it’s free!) to receive advice, encouragement, and education to increase your physical activity, change your diet, participate in an organized heart walk, and learn from survivors of heart disease.
My Start! Online gives you access to activity and nutrition tools to help track your progress and keep you on track, as well as articles and tips to help you stay motivated.
When you choose Start! Moving, you will learn how walking helps not only your body, but your mind as well. You will be given an easy-to-follow plan to get started and stay on track with exercise along with information on how to determine how many calories you have expended.
When you choose Start! Eating Right, you will be given practical advice to determine how many calories you should eat in a day, what foods to buy, how to know which foods are heart friendly, and great recipes to improve your heart health.
Start! Walking for Individuals brings you together with one million other people in 500 events all across America who are joining together to stamp out heart disease. You can join an existing walk or start a new event in your area. There is no better way to stay motivated in your walking efforts than to work toward the goal of participating in a larger event.
If you are employed, Start! Walking Program for Individuals encourages your employer to create walking groups and set up walking routes in your workplace as another incentive to work toward a healthy lifestyle. Just send an email with your name, your company name, and the contact information of the person in charge of your human resources department, and the American Heart Association will do the rest by contacting your HR department to get started.
If all this has not yet motivated you to join Start!, read the real-life stories of heart disease survivors at Start! Survivors. Learn from someone who has survived heart disease and take steps now to prevent heart disease in your own life and in the lives of those you love.
If being part of an organized program is not your style, work on these ABCs of heart health also available through the American Heart Association: Avoid tobacco, Be more active, Choose good nutrition. These three changes, even in small steps, can have a huge impact on your health and quality of life.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, be fun, be romantic, enjoy the day with your spouse or loved ones, but remember to focus on the health of your heart and theirs by getting more exercise, eating right, and focusing on the goal of being around next year to do it all over again – together.
Kansieo.com
Valentine’s Day is upon us. Everything from candy to purses to shoes to baking ware and supplies can be found now in red and pink with hearts on them or shaped as hearts. While hearts in February remind us of Valentine’s Day and the love we share with family and friends, the bigger event that could pass by almost unnoticed is the designation of February as Heart Month.
While I am not advocating giving up on romance this year, I encourage you to go one step beyond buying a gift or celebrating with a romantic dinner to taking actions to ensure that you and your spouse or loved one(s) will be around next year to celebrate Valentine’s Day together again.
The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) offers many tools to assess your heart health and put you on the road to decreasing your risk of heart disease or stopping it in its tracks.
By taking a short quiz, you can discover your risk for heart disease and register to receive a cookbook full of heart-healthy recipes. After answering a few questions regarding gender, age, height/weight, tobacco use, diet, physical activity, and your overall health, you will receive feedback on changes to make that will have long-lasting effects on your heart and overall health.
Additionally, you can join Start!, “the American Heart Association’s new national movement that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health through walking.” Even if you are not employed or your employer does not participate, you can join (it’s free!) to receive advice, encouragement, and education to increase your physical activity, change your diet, participate in an organized heart walk, and learn from survivors of heart disease.
My Start! Online gives you access to activity and nutrition tools to help track your progress and keep you on track, as well as articles and tips to help you stay motivated.
When you choose Start! Moving, you will learn how walking helps not only your body, but your mind as well. You will be given an easy-to-follow plan to get started and stay on track with exercise along with information on how to determine how many calories you have expended.
When you choose Start! Eating Right, you will be given practical advice to determine how many calories you should eat in a day, what foods to buy, how to know which foods are heart friendly, and great recipes to improve your heart health.
Start! Walking for Individuals brings you together with one million other people in 500 events all across America who are joining together to stamp out heart disease. You can join an existing walk or start a new event in your area. There is no better way to stay motivated in your walking efforts than to work toward the goal of participating in a larger event.
If you are employed, Start! Walking Program for Individuals encourages your employer to create walking groups and set up walking routes in your workplace as another incentive to work toward a healthy lifestyle. Just send an email with your name, your company name, and the contact information of the person in charge of your human resources department, and the American Heart Association will do the rest by contacting your HR department to get started.
If all this has not yet motivated you to join Start!, read the real-life stories of heart disease survivors at Start! Survivors. Learn from someone who has survived heart disease and take steps now to prevent heart disease in your own life and in the lives of those you love.
If being part of an organized program is not your style, work on these ABCs of heart health also available through the American Heart Association: Avoid tobacco, Be more active, Choose good nutrition. These three changes, even in small steps, can have a huge impact on your health and quality of life.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, be fun, be romantic, enjoy the day with your spouse or loved ones, but remember to focus on the health of your heart and theirs by getting more exercise, eating right, and focusing on the goal of being around next year to do it all over again – together.
Kansieo.com
Healthy Heart – Important Studies Show the Whole Grain Connection
Joe Golson asked:
As scientists around the world continue their pursuit of knowledge of the human body and how it works, the evidence supporting the importance of a diet rich in whole grains continues to headline news on nutrition! The more we look, the more we find that whole grains do things in our diets that other foods don’t and processed grains like white flour simply can’t.
In the January 2006 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; (volume 83, issue 1,) a study titled “Whole-Grain Intake is Inversely Associated with The Metabolic Syndrome and Mortality in Older Adults” shows that older people who eat whole grains regularly had a significantly reduced risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome and lower fasting glucose levels. Conversely, refined grains were associated with higher fasting glucose and increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
This builds on evidence published in 2002—“Effect Of Whole Grains on Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight Hyperinsulinemic Adults,” (Am J Clin Nutr 2002, 75: 848-855.)—that showed a direct whole grain advantage over refined grains when it comes to managing healthy insulin levels.
Four Large and Important Studies Show the Whole Grain Connection to good Heart Health.
1. A 1998 study of 34,000 women showed that those who ate at least one serving of whole grains per day had between 30% and 36% lower risk of heart disease. (“Whole-Grain Intake may ReduceThe Risk Of Ischemic Heart Disease Death in Postmenopausal Women: the Iowa Women’s Health Study” Am J Clin Nutr 1998 68: 248-257.)
2. Results of the Nurse’s Health Study that followed 75,000 subjects for up to twelve years showed that those who ate about three servings of whole grains each day had a 25% lower risk of heart disease and a 36% lower risk of stroke than those who did not make whole grain part of their diet. (“Whole-Grain Consumption and Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease: Results from The Nurses’ Health Study,” Am J Clin Nutr 1999, 70: 412-419.)
3. Another study published in a 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found similarly strong connections to whole grain intake and health, up to 50% reduction of risk of ischemic stroke. (“Whole Grain Consumption and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Women: A Prospective Study,” JAMA.2000;284:1534-1540.)
4. Of the 44,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, those who consumed about 3 servings per day of whole grain enjoyed an 18% reduction in risk of heart attack. (“Intakes Of Whole Grains, Bran, and Germ and the Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease in Men,” Am J Clin Nutr, 2004, 80: 1492-1499.)
Factoid : When whole grain wheat is refined to make flour, most of its nutritional value goes down the drain. For example, thirteen key nutrients, including vitamin E, are reduced as much as 93%.To compensate for this incredible loss, the flour is enriched, but with only five nutrients, making it into what many scientists and researchers see as negative nutrition. (www.wholegraincouncil.org)
healthy heart
As scientists around the world continue their pursuit of knowledge of the human body and how it works, the evidence supporting the importance of a diet rich in whole grains continues to headline news on nutrition! The more we look, the more we find that whole grains do things in our diets that other foods don’t and processed grains like white flour simply can’t.
In the January 2006 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; (volume 83, issue 1,) a study titled “Whole-Grain Intake is Inversely Associated with The Metabolic Syndrome and Mortality in Older Adults” shows that older people who eat whole grains regularly had a significantly reduced risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome and lower fasting glucose levels. Conversely, refined grains were associated with higher fasting glucose and increased risk of metabolic syndrome.
This builds on evidence published in 2002—“Effect Of Whole Grains on Insulin Sensitivity in Overweight Hyperinsulinemic Adults,” (Am J Clin Nutr 2002, 75: 848-855.)—that showed a direct whole grain advantage over refined grains when it comes to managing healthy insulin levels.
Four Large and Important Studies Show the Whole Grain Connection to good Heart Health.
1. A 1998 study of 34,000 women showed that those who ate at least one serving of whole grains per day had between 30% and 36% lower risk of heart disease. (“Whole-Grain Intake may ReduceThe Risk Of Ischemic Heart Disease Death in Postmenopausal Women: the Iowa Women’s Health Study” Am J Clin Nutr 1998 68: 248-257.)
2. Results of the Nurse’s Health Study that followed 75,000 subjects for up to twelve years showed that those who ate about three servings of whole grains each day had a 25% lower risk of heart disease and a 36% lower risk of stroke than those who did not make whole grain part of their diet. (“Whole-Grain Consumption and Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease: Results from The Nurses’ Health Study,” Am J Clin Nutr 1999, 70: 412-419.)
3. Another study published in a 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found similarly strong connections to whole grain intake and health, up to 50% reduction of risk of ischemic stroke. (“Whole Grain Consumption and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Women: A Prospective Study,” JAMA.2000;284:1534-1540.)
4. Of the 44,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, those who consumed about 3 servings per day of whole grain enjoyed an 18% reduction in risk of heart attack. (“Intakes Of Whole Grains, Bran, and Germ and the Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease in Men,” Am J Clin Nutr, 2004, 80: 1492-1499.)
Factoid : When whole grain wheat is refined to make flour, most of its nutritional value goes down the drain. For example, thirteen key nutrients, including vitamin E, are reduced as much as 93%.To compensate for this incredible loss, the flour is enriched, but with only five nutrients, making it into what many scientists and researchers see as negative nutrition. (www.wholegraincouncil.org)
healthy heart
The Basic Diet Plan for a Healthy Heart
Jesse Miller asked:
For a healthy living you need to have a healthy heart. It should be able to pump the blood well and in the right manner at the right time. For this to happen safely and soundly you must have a very healthy heart and for a healthy heart, apart from many else things a good and perfect diet plan is to be followed. The diet plan must be in line with the need of the heart of an individual.
Here are some guidelines which if followed can help manage a healthier heart:
1.You daily diet plan should only have 10-12% of the total consumed calories from the saturated fats.
2. Your total calories of the day, must not be more than 28% from the fat.
3.Use must restrict yourself below 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol.
4.Try to restrict the daily in take of sodium below 2500 milligrams a day.
5.Mark your calorie level (your doctor will help you know the exact appropriate level) and just take enough calories that would help you to maintain a healthy weight and would help to reduce the cholesterol level in your blood.
6.You must not take more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol daily, as it would lead to a build up of plaques in your arteries which surely increases the risk of a stroke and a heart attack.
7. Try to avoid butter and margarine as much as you can. For this purpose you can use salsa or even low-fat yogurt to top your baked potatoes instead of butter.
8.Make the nut or seed oil a part of your diet, as it would help you to have a healthier heart. It can even be canola oil or olive oil.
9.Try to avoid the addition of fried chicken patties in your diet plan and add fish or a piece of skinless chicken ******. Fish also helps to lower your blood fats.
10. Add beans and peas to your daily diet plans as they are a rich source of protein and they are free of cholesterol and low at fat.
11.Try to add fruits and vegetables to your diet as much as you can.
12.Reduce the salt in your overall meals.
If you keep all these points in view while designing your diet plan you will surely have the most appropriate diet plan for your healthier heart.
Caffeinated Content
For a healthy living you need to have a healthy heart. It should be able to pump the blood well and in the right manner at the right time. For this to happen safely and soundly you must have a very healthy heart and for a healthy heart, apart from many else things a good and perfect diet plan is to be followed. The diet plan must be in line with the need of the heart of an individual.
Here are some guidelines which if followed can help manage a healthier heart:
1.You daily diet plan should only have 10-12% of the total consumed calories from the saturated fats.
2. Your total calories of the day, must not be more than 28% from the fat.
3.Use must restrict yourself below 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol.
4.Try to restrict the daily in take of sodium below 2500 milligrams a day.
5.Mark your calorie level (your doctor will help you know the exact appropriate level) and just take enough calories that would help you to maintain a healthy weight and would help to reduce the cholesterol level in your blood.
6.You must not take more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol daily, as it would lead to a build up of plaques in your arteries which surely increases the risk of a stroke and a heart attack.
7. Try to avoid butter and margarine as much as you can. For this purpose you can use salsa or even low-fat yogurt to top your baked potatoes instead of butter.
8.Make the nut or seed oil a part of your diet, as it would help you to have a healthier heart. It can even be canola oil or olive oil.
9.Try to avoid the addition of fried chicken patties in your diet plan and add fish or a piece of skinless chicken ******. Fish also helps to lower your blood fats.
10. Add beans and peas to your daily diet plans as they are a rich source of protein and they are free of cholesterol and low at fat.
11.Try to add fruits and vegetables to your diet as much as you can.
12.Reduce the salt in your overall meals.
If you keep all these points in view while designing your diet plan you will surely have the most appropriate diet plan for your healthier heart.
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Tips to Maintaining a Healthy Heart and Body
Viliam V. Kanis asked:
Whether you are approaching your middle age years or not, you should always be conscious and caring for your heart and your body. It is not right to simply feel the urge to change to a healthy lifestyle once the problems set in. While many diseases can be cured, it is not for the best that you only start to care when you already experience difficulty with regards to your health.
For this matter, it has become more important not only to know how to maintain your health but also in knowing how to live a healthy lifestyle. Since a healthy body must also mean a healthy heart, then here are some tips to help you achieve your goals of being free from hypertension, from heart problems, and from other common health problems.
1. Understand what your body says.
You are considered fortunate if you can have a quick understanding of your body condition. While regular doctor check ups are necessary for most, it is also our responsibility to watch out for signs and symptoms of diseases and ailments.
2. Know that the doctor is your ally.
While not all of us go to the doctor regularly, this is quite important especially if you are approaching your later adult years. This would also be advisable for those who have past medical problems or family histories related to high blood pressure, heart problems, kidney diseases and others. When you go to the doctor for a routine checkup, the doctor would usually take your blood pressure using heart rate monitors and blood pressure equipment.
3. Know your responsibility in monitoring your heart and your health.
It is not only the doctor’s responsibility to monitor your health. For most people, it would be advisable to have their own blood pressure and heart rate monitors as well as other health equipment for personal use. Having a heart rate monitor or blood pressure cuffs at home, for instance, can help you monitor your health more closely. This is highly important especially if you have been diagnosed with hypertension which can lead to worse conditions such as stroke, heart attack or kidney failure.
4. Change your lifestyle for the better.
It is never too late to change your lifestyle for the better. A good diet combined with regular exercise is always for the best. Upon the doctor’s advice, you can actually enter exercise routines or even use exercise equipment with built-in heart rate monitors for safety.
5. Lose weight the right way.
If you need to lose weight, then an healthy diet and an exercise routine is still for the best. You can consult your doctor for a diet and exercise program that is suitable for your age and health condition. Losing weight can be an after-effect of a good diet and exercise plan. Body tape measures can also help you monitor your weight and fat loss. It is important to note, though, that weight loss should be monitored closely by a professional especially if your goal is in line with health reasons.
6. Have the right equipment.
Having the right equipment and resources can make your healthy lifestyle goals much easier. Aside from the crucial health monitoring equipment such as heart rate monitors and blood pressure cuffs, you can also manage your health goals better with practical tools such as body tape measures and body fat testers.
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Whether you are approaching your middle age years or not, you should always be conscious and caring for your heart and your body. It is not right to simply feel the urge to change to a healthy lifestyle once the problems set in. While many diseases can be cured, it is not for the best that you only start to care when you already experience difficulty with regards to your health.
For this matter, it has become more important not only to know how to maintain your health but also in knowing how to live a healthy lifestyle. Since a healthy body must also mean a healthy heart, then here are some tips to help you achieve your goals of being free from hypertension, from heart problems, and from other common health problems.
1. Understand what your body says.
You are considered fortunate if you can have a quick understanding of your body condition. While regular doctor check ups are necessary for most, it is also our responsibility to watch out for signs and symptoms of diseases and ailments.
2. Know that the doctor is your ally.
While not all of us go to the doctor regularly, this is quite important especially if you are approaching your later adult years. This would also be advisable for those who have past medical problems or family histories related to high blood pressure, heart problems, kidney diseases and others. When you go to the doctor for a routine checkup, the doctor would usually take your blood pressure using heart rate monitors and blood pressure equipment.
3. Know your responsibility in monitoring your heart and your health.
It is not only the doctor’s responsibility to monitor your health. For most people, it would be advisable to have their own blood pressure and heart rate monitors as well as other health equipment for personal use. Having a heart rate monitor or blood pressure cuffs at home, for instance, can help you monitor your health more closely. This is highly important especially if you have been diagnosed with hypertension which can lead to worse conditions such as stroke, heart attack or kidney failure.
4. Change your lifestyle for the better.
It is never too late to change your lifestyle for the better. A good diet combined with regular exercise is always for the best. Upon the doctor’s advice, you can actually enter exercise routines or even use exercise equipment with built-in heart rate monitors for safety.
5. Lose weight the right way.
If you need to lose weight, then an healthy diet and an exercise routine is still for the best. You can consult your doctor for a diet and exercise program that is suitable for your age and health condition. Losing weight can be an after-effect of a good diet and exercise plan. Body tape measures can also help you monitor your weight and fat loss. It is important to note, though, that weight loss should be monitored closely by a professional especially if your goal is in line with health reasons.
6. Have the right equipment.
Having the right equipment and resources can make your healthy lifestyle goals much easier. Aside from the crucial health monitoring equipment such as heart rate monitors and blood pressure cuffs, you can also manage your health goals better with practical tools such as body tape measures and body fat testers.
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Cardio Exercise – Tips For A Healthy Heart
Abhishek Agarwal asked:
First, you need to understand that you are not alone in considering that heart health is a matter of extreme importance as it is the vital organ of your body that keeps you going about in life; everyone worries about cardio exercise for the same reason – they want to stick around long enough to enjoy life to the lees! I don’t blame you for wanting the same thing; but, did you know that there are ways to increase your cardio output so as to ensure your heart is healthy even as you age?
If not, stick around and learn just how you can have a healthy heart!
The most important thing that you need to understand about heart health is that exercise in moderation and under supervision after doctor’s permission is always good for your increased heart health; there are two essential types of cardio exercise that you can consider, depending on the current condition of your heart functionality.
These are high and low intensity exercises that work to burn off body fat, which can be harmful for the efficient functioning of the heart and even cause the arteries to clog up with excess fat leading to serious complications and much discomfort, pain and expenses that can well be avoided simply by healthy levels of cardio exercise.
Medical science reveals to us that during the course of the body enduring an intensive work-out, the benefits for the human system are many: it works on the principle of the body burning stored glycogen, a type of carbohydrate that is present in the liver and muscles for energy. However, during low intensity workouts, the body burns fat.
So, if you see so many fat people around you that are currently on low intensity workouts you may well be wondering if this works at all for reducing fat; the answer is no. If it did work, then why would they still be fat? Think about it!
This is because what happens during a low intensity workout like walking or swimming is that the body does burn fat, but actual calories are only burnt during high intensity work-outs such as running, cycling, jogging etc. So apart from burning off stored glycogen, the high intensity work-out also has the added advantage of burning up many more fat calories than the lower intensity exercise, which in turn spells a healthy heart for you – for many years to come.
Thus, the benefits of a high intensity cardio exercise includes raising the fat burning metabolism during and even after the work-out is completed, which is not available to those indulging in low intensity cardio or aerobic exercises; furthermore, the freedom of combining various kinds of high intensity work-outs (5 minutes of running interspersed with 5 minutes of jogging then another 5 minutes of cycling etc.) allows for more variety and more calorie-burning during high intensity work-outs that are not present at all in low-intensity ones.
It also helps build endurance and energy in the long run, so you may want to stick to that cardio exercise track for a while – and gift yourself a healthy heart.
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First, you need to understand that you are not alone in considering that heart health is a matter of extreme importance as it is the vital organ of your body that keeps you going about in life; everyone worries about cardio exercise for the same reason – they want to stick around long enough to enjoy life to the lees! I don’t blame you for wanting the same thing; but, did you know that there are ways to increase your cardio output so as to ensure your heart is healthy even as you age?
If not, stick around and learn just how you can have a healthy heart!
The most important thing that you need to understand about heart health is that exercise in moderation and under supervision after doctor’s permission is always good for your increased heart health; there are two essential types of cardio exercise that you can consider, depending on the current condition of your heart functionality.
These are high and low intensity exercises that work to burn off body fat, which can be harmful for the efficient functioning of the heart and even cause the arteries to clog up with excess fat leading to serious complications and much discomfort, pain and expenses that can well be avoided simply by healthy levels of cardio exercise.
Medical science reveals to us that during the course of the body enduring an intensive work-out, the benefits for the human system are many: it works on the principle of the body burning stored glycogen, a type of carbohydrate that is present in the liver and muscles for energy. However, during low intensity workouts, the body burns fat.
So, if you see so many fat people around you that are currently on low intensity workouts you may well be wondering if this works at all for reducing fat; the answer is no. If it did work, then why would they still be fat? Think about it!
This is because what happens during a low intensity workout like walking or swimming is that the body does burn fat, but actual calories are only burnt during high intensity work-outs such as running, cycling, jogging etc. So apart from burning off stored glycogen, the high intensity work-out also has the added advantage of burning up many more fat calories than the lower intensity exercise, which in turn spells a healthy heart for you – for many years to come.
Thus, the benefits of a high intensity cardio exercise includes raising the fat burning metabolism during and even after the work-out is completed, which is not available to those indulging in low intensity cardio or aerobic exercises; furthermore, the freedom of combining various kinds of high intensity work-outs (5 minutes of running interspersed with 5 minutes of jogging then another 5 minutes of cycling etc.) allows for more variety and more calorie-burning during high intensity work-outs that are not present at all in low-intensity ones.
It also helps build endurance and energy in the long run, so you may want to stick to that cardio exercise track for a while – and gift yourself a healthy heart.
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Why Eating Dark Chocolate as Part of a Healthy Heart Diet is Good For You.
Kirsten Whittaker asked:
A recent study isn’t shy about suggesting regular consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate as part of a healthy heart diet could be good for your circulatory system.
Note the words small and dark. And forget about nugat and rich creamy centers. Instead we’re talking pure chocolate… as close to its natural, rich, intense taste as possible.
Nutritionists have long known that since chocolate is derived from plants it potentially has many of the same health benefits as dark vegetables do – In fact it has almost 8 times the antioxidants of strawberries.
The reason for this high level of anti-oxidants is because they are packed with “Flavonoids” which are a natural part and parcel of cocoa (the main ingredient of dark chocolate). Once these little powerhouses get into your body, they work to gobble up dangerous free radicals that can cause the inflammation that brings on cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A large, well controlled Italian study, to be published in the Journal of Nutrition, has shown that dark chocolate can significantly reduce the inflammation that leads to heart disease.
The data came from the Moli-sani Project, one of the biggest epidemiological studies in Europe and involved the random selection of people 35 and older, in good health with no risk factors for heart disease.
The researchers looked at the levels of a protein (C reactive protein) in the bloodwork of the subjects while also noting their chocolate intake and adjusting for factors that normally are known to impact heart disease such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Out of 11,000 possible participants, researchers identified 4,849 subjects in good health and free of risk factors for heart disease. Among them, 1,317 did not eat any chocolate, while 824 had the treat regularly, but only the dark variety.
The work, a collaborative effort between Research Laboratories of the Catholic University in Campobasso and the National Cancer Institute of Milan, found that those who ate moderate amounts of dark chocolate had significantly lower levels of the C-reactive protein in their blood, indicating their inflammatory state was considerably reduced.
And though the 17% reduction seems small, in terms of cardiac disease it’s still enough to cut the risk of cardiac disease for one third of women and one quarter of men. That’s a pretty significant reduction.
So just how much dark, delicious chocolate do you need to eat to get the effect?
Remember the emphasis on dark chocolate… in fact, the darker the better. You’ll want to look for chocolate with 70%, or more, cocoa solids and little or no added sugar.
The product should also be made with cocoa butter instead of palm or coconut oils, and avoid “hydrogenated” or “partly hydrogenated” oils as much as possible.
Of course, a moderate intake is also key… as you might expect.
Start by looking at the total weight of the bar you’re considering. The ideal amount, according to the Italian research, is 6.7 grams (.23 ounces) a day. You might try to break a typical bar into 6 pieces and eating one each day… or enjoy a larger piece every couple of days. By the end of the week, you’ll want to have taken in no more than 47 grams (about 1.7 ounces) of dark chocolate. Not even a full candy bar. Eating more doesn’t add to the anti-inflammatory effect.
And milk chocolate (white chocolate too) doesn’t, sadly, have the same effect on inflammation. It seems that the milk dilutes the antioxidant effect of the substances in the dark chocolate. The same holds true for a glass of milk you might have with your indulgent treat… be sure to choose a different drink so as not to defeat the healthy heart diet benefits to your body of the dark chocolate.
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A recent study isn’t shy about suggesting regular consumption of small amounts of dark chocolate as part of a healthy heart diet could be good for your circulatory system.
Note the words small and dark. And forget about nugat and rich creamy centers. Instead we’re talking pure chocolate… as close to its natural, rich, intense taste as possible.
Nutritionists have long known that since chocolate is derived from plants it potentially has many of the same health benefits as dark vegetables do – In fact it has almost 8 times the antioxidants of strawberries.
The reason for this high level of anti-oxidants is because they are packed with “Flavonoids” which are a natural part and parcel of cocoa (the main ingredient of dark chocolate). Once these little powerhouses get into your body, they work to gobble up dangerous free radicals that can cause the inflammation that brings on cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A large, well controlled Italian study, to be published in the Journal of Nutrition, has shown that dark chocolate can significantly reduce the inflammation that leads to heart disease.
The data came from the Moli-sani Project, one of the biggest epidemiological studies in Europe and involved the random selection of people 35 and older, in good health with no risk factors for heart disease.
The researchers looked at the levels of a protein (C reactive protein) in the bloodwork of the subjects while also noting their chocolate intake and adjusting for factors that normally are known to impact heart disease such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Out of 11,000 possible participants, researchers identified 4,849 subjects in good health and free of risk factors for heart disease. Among them, 1,317 did not eat any chocolate, while 824 had the treat regularly, but only the dark variety.
The work, a collaborative effort between Research Laboratories of the Catholic University in Campobasso and the National Cancer Institute of Milan, found that those who ate moderate amounts of dark chocolate had significantly lower levels of the C-reactive protein in their blood, indicating their inflammatory state was considerably reduced.
And though the 17% reduction seems small, in terms of cardiac disease it’s still enough to cut the risk of cardiac disease for one third of women and one quarter of men. That’s a pretty significant reduction.
So just how much dark, delicious chocolate do you need to eat to get the effect?
Remember the emphasis on dark chocolate… in fact, the darker the better. You’ll want to look for chocolate with 70%, or more, cocoa solids and little or no added sugar.
The product should also be made with cocoa butter instead of palm or coconut oils, and avoid “hydrogenated” or “partly hydrogenated” oils as much as possible.
Of course, a moderate intake is also key… as you might expect.
Start by looking at the total weight of the bar you’re considering. The ideal amount, according to the Italian research, is 6.7 grams (.23 ounces) a day. You might try to break a typical bar into 6 pieces and eating one each day… or enjoy a larger piece every couple of days. By the end of the week, you’ll want to have taken in no more than 47 grams (about 1.7 ounces) of dark chocolate. Not even a full candy bar. Eating more doesn’t add to the anti-inflammatory effect.
And milk chocolate (white chocolate too) doesn’t, sadly, have the same effect on inflammation. It seems that the milk dilutes the antioxidant effect of the substances in the dark chocolate. The same holds true for a glass of milk you might have with your indulgent treat… be sure to choose a different drink so as not to defeat the healthy heart diet benefits to your body of the dark chocolate.
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Blood Pressure Food: Healthy Recipes For A Healthy Heart
Ashish Jain asked:
We all crave for good health. High blood pressure or hypertension emerges as a ‘silent killer.’ Like a seasoned predator, it creeps up to us, that too, without letting us know of its presence and suddenly, at an odd moment, reveals its deadly fangs. It is not something that hits you and vanishes into thin air. It hits you and stays with you, and might prove lethal if proper measures are not taken. If you have already been brought down by hypertension, the best cure is precaution. And if you are yet to be hit by it, but do lead a life that makes you prone to it, the best way to deal with it is again precaution.
And where does precaution start? With your eating habits! Eating healthy keeps one healthy. A healthy diet for heart comprises of all such food that would supply sufficient nutrition while holding out all that might not be good for your heart.
Healthy food for your heart can, therefore, be called ‘safe food’ because it is least likely to cause any damage to your heart without compromising on the nutrition supply to your body. Most of such food comprises of green vegetables and fibrous food items.
Natural foods are considered to be most healthy and that is the primary reason behind their ever-increasing popularity. As a result we are seeing a great number of natural food stores coming up every other day all over the world. A great number of books have also been written, which sign praises of natural food.
Quite clearly organic foods are the healthiest available. They are nutritious and natural while the fast foods or ‘junk food’ that we have gotten so very used to is very unhealthy because these foods supply very little nourishment to our bodies and load us with lots of unwanted calories and harmful cholesterol. And harmful cholesterol is one of the major reasons for high blood pressure and even heart stroke.
These days due to the rising awareness, companies have started growing organic food without adding the chemicals used to make them grow faster and better. The chemicals used to enhance the growth and quality of these foods actually linger on and take away much of the advantage of living on a natural diet.
Therefore, for a healthy heart a balanced diet consisting of natural foods is important. This would also keep your blood pressure within manageable limits.
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We all crave for good health. High blood pressure or hypertension emerges as a ‘silent killer.’ Like a seasoned predator, it creeps up to us, that too, without letting us know of its presence and suddenly, at an odd moment, reveals its deadly fangs. It is not something that hits you and vanishes into thin air. It hits you and stays with you, and might prove lethal if proper measures are not taken. If you have already been brought down by hypertension, the best cure is precaution. And if you are yet to be hit by it, but do lead a life that makes you prone to it, the best way to deal with it is again precaution.
And where does precaution start? With your eating habits! Eating healthy keeps one healthy. A healthy diet for heart comprises of all such food that would supply sufficient nutrition while holding out all that might not be good for your heart.
Healthy food for your heart can, therefore, be called ‘safe food’ because it is least likely to cause any damage to your heart without compromising on the nutrition supply to your body. Most of such food comprises of green vegetables and fibrous food items.
Natural foods are considered to be most healthy and that is the primary reason behind their ever-increasing popularity. As a result we are seeing a great number of natural food stores coming up every other day all over the world. A great number of books have also been written, which sign praises of natural food.
Quite clearly organic foods are the healthiest available. They are nutritious and natural while the fast foods or ‘junk food’ that we have gotten so very used to is very unhealthy because these foods supply very little nourishment to our bodies and load us with lots of unwanted calories and harmful cholesterol. And harmful cholesterol is one of the major reasons for high blood pressure and even heart stroke.
These days due to the rising awareness, companies have started growing organic food without adding the chemicals used to make them grow faster and better. The chemicals used to enhance the growth and quality of these foods actually linger on and take away much of the advantage of living on a natural diet.
Therefore, for a healthy heart a balanced diet consisting of natural foods is important. This would also keep your blood pressure within manageable limits.
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