Miracle Obi asked:


Eating for a healthy heart does not mean giving up everything you enjoy. Changing the sort of food that you have eaten all life may not be easy, but it is important in reducing the risk of developing heart diseases. In continuation of eating for a healthy heart 1, this is the highlight on the remaining groups of foods so that you can know how to include all in your daily healthy balanced meals.

Group 3:  Fats and oil: There are two types of fats and oil, saturated and the unsaturated fats. They all contain the same amount of calories and are composed of fatty acids. At room temperature saturated fats are solid while unsaturated fats tend to be liquid. Examples are:

Meat fat   (beef, pork, lard. Mutton, dripping).

Dairy fat (cheese, butter, cream)

Plant fat (palm oil, coconut oil)

Processed fat (cakes, biscuits. Pies, snacks, margarine)

Saturated fats increase blood cholesterol and LDL-C levels rise is linked with risks of heart diseases. So it is highly required that you reduce your intake of saturated fatty acids.

Unsaturated fats are found mainly in vegetable. It is sub-divided into monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The monounsaturated fat is oleic acid, the main constituent of olive oil. This oleic acid is known to protect the heart by reducing the artery clogging LDL-C and then makes the blood platelets less sticky and less likely to form blood clots.

Other major source of monounsaturated fats are canola oil, nuts, and peanut oil. Research showed that eating nuts can significantly lower the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood.

The polyunsaturated fats have two families, the Omega-6 and Omega-3. Omega-6 fatty acids are found mainly in vegetable source such as sunflower, sesame seeds, corn, and safflower margarine and soy oil. While Omega-3 are found in oily fish such as trout, salmon, sardine, mullet, tuna, anchovies, herring, mackerel, also in green leafy vegetable, canola, soya , rapeseed and walnut oil. It is advised to consume more of Omega-3 because fish oil is a very rich source of eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and decosahexanoic acid (DHA) which helps maintain a healthy heart. They have shown to:

Reduce blood pressure

Reduce thrombosis (blood clot) by thinning the blood

Reduce blood triglyceride levels.

So as you enjoy fish in your meals, try to include one portion of oily fish.

Group 4:  Proteins: are made up of amino acids and is required for the repair and maintenance of all body tissues, in fact it’s called the building block of life. The major dietary sources of protein are all type of fish, meat, eggs, milk, cheese, beans, peas, lentil, nuts, and cereal grains. Different food contains different type of protein, so it is important to eat a variety of protein source to ensure you are getting enough from each.

Group 5:  Vitamin and minerals: these are essential part of your diet. They are the anti-oxidant that your body needs to fight off diseases. We have the fat soluble vitamins (vitamins. A, D, E, & K) while the water-soluble vitamins are all the eight B vitamins, vitamin C and folic acid. The main anti-oxidant is vitamin C, vitamin A in form of beta-carotene, and vitamin E. This helps the heart by reducing the oxidation of LDL-C, thereby reducing the buildup of fatty deposits in the arterial walls. Sources are all kinds of fruits, vegetables, corn, olive and vegetable oils, cottonseed, apricots, sweet potatoes. Most often folic acid and the B vitamins are readily available from our balanced diet. The good source includes leafy green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, cereals, rice, milk, eggs, fish, citrus fruits, potatoes, berries.

Finally drinking enough water helps to flush out the unwanted materials in the body. By making good choices in your meal and eating well, you can reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. Enjoy! You deserve the good health.

To learn more about eating for a healthy heart visit http://www.heartcares.blogspot.com

Knowledge is power, so Learn and Live!

 



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Rupunkel asked:


Treating heart problem or preventing heart disease is not only possible, but also within your reach. Here are some natural remedies you will find in your very own kitchen.

High Fibre Food: High-fiber food like barley, oats, whole grains such as brown rice and lentils, and beans, such as kidney beans and black beans, will help keep your cholesterol levels in check.

Olive oil: According to the American Heart Association and the American Dietetic Association, it is helpful to get most of your fat from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated sources. Use polyunsaturated oil (sunflower, safflower, corn and soybean oils) or monounsaturated fats (such as olive, canola and peanut oils) in place of other vegetable oils when cooking your veggies.

Whole-wheat bread and peanut butter: Some peanut butter on a slice of whole-wheat bread is a good snack that’s good to your heart. One slice of whole-wheat bread has 11 mcg of selenium, an antioxidant mineral that works with vitamin E to protect your heart. Peanut butter is one best source of providing you with your daily intake of 1/3 of vitamin E.

Wine. Research studies have shown that drinking a glass of alcohol a day may help in the battle against heart disease. Moderate intake of alcohol is helpful-moderate as one glass a day for women and two glasses of alcohol a day for men. What’s in one drink? Twelve ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of whiskey.

Broccoli. Calcium is another heart-healthy nutrient. Milk isn’t the only calcium-rich food. In fact, there are lots of non-dairy foods that are rich in calcium, such as salmon, kale, broccoli, figs, pinto beans, and okra. One cup of broccoli can supply you with 90 mg of calcium.

Chicken. Three ounces of chicken will give you 1/3 of your daily requirement for vitamin B6, a necessary nutrient for maintaining heart health.

Fish. Adding fatty fish to your diet is also a good idea. A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, three ounces of salmon meets your daily requirement for vitamin B12, a vitamin that helps keep your heart healthy. Fish intake lowers triglycerides and reduce blood clots that could potentially block arteries in the heart.

Fruits: Strawberries, Oranges, Amlas are Vitamin C rich fruits that act as an antioxidant vital to maintaining a happy heart. Daily use of lemon also prevents heart problems as it prevents the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels. Being a natural source of vitamin C, Amla (Emblica myrobalan ) prevents all heart problems. Fresh grape fruits are highly beneficial in the treatment of heart disease as they tone up the heart. Apples have heart-stimulating properties. Apple juice and apple jam can be taken in liberal amounts. Watermelon is another fruit which can reduce high blood pressure.

Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are a smart choice for fending off heart disease.

Garlic. Garlic lessens plaque buildup, reduce the incidence of chest pain, and keep the heart generally healthy. It is also a mild anticoagulant, helping to thin the blood.

Honey. This is considered as one of the excellent home remedies for heart care. Mix a tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water, before going to bed.

Beet juice. It is considered as the most effective for heart ailments.

Tulsi. Take a spoon of tulsi juice with a spoon of honey on empty stomach every day as this is very effective home remedy for heart care.

CLASSIC WARNING SIGNS OF HEART ATTACK



Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or pain in center of chest Pain that spreads to shoulders, jaw, neck or arms Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating or shortness of breath

OTHER WARNING SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK

Unusual chest, stomach or abdominal pain Nausea or dizziness Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing Unexplained anxiety, weakness or extreme fatigue Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness

SOME IMPORTANT TIPS

A prolonged immersion bath at room temperature taken at bedtime on alternative days is also beneficial for the heart patients. Regular exercise, brisk walking are most important for healthy heart. Increase the intake of vitamin E as it improves the oxygenation of the cells. Stop smoking. Salt intake should be restricted. A well balanced diet for heart care containing fruits, vegetables and cereals with natural fibre is recommended. Excess intake of alcohol should be avoided. Regular check of high blood pressure and diabetes.

ADD ACTIVITY TO YOUR LIFE

Park your car in the back of the parking lot instead of near the entrance. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk at a mall or gym. Go dancing. Play with children or grandchildren.

For more info on natural remedies, please visit Home Remedies



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