Posts Tagged ‘Fresh Fruits And Vegetables’

Healthy Heart Diet-Heart Healthy Diet Starts Now

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

Did you know that you can increase your heart’s healthy by eating a healthy heart diet? We are going to take a look at heart healthy foods over the next few months. To get us started today, we are going to take a look at the foods in the kitchen. Are they heart healthy? Do they promote good cardiovascular health or are they contributors to poor circulation, sluggish metabolism, cholesterol buildup, heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes?

Let’s begin with looking in the refrigerator. Forget the old advice that eggs and butter cause heart attacks. All the new research says they don’t. The real culprits are partially hydrogenated oils and that is the main ingredient in margarine. Touted as heart healthy for years, it isn’t. Wipe that concept out of your mind.

Margarine is unhealthy, get rid of it. It is best to replace margarine with real butter for buttering your toast and a healthy oil like olive oil or coconut oil for cooking. Olive oil with herbs and garlic makes an excellent heart healthy dip for bread if you don’t like butter.

Now look to see how many fresh fruits and vegetables are in the refrigerator. Don’t see any? No diet that will enhance the cardiovascular system exists that doesn’t emphasize fresh fruits and vegetables. These have been proven to not only support a well functioning cardiovascular system but also prevent cancer and aid the whole digestive system.

How about fresh fish? The Omega-3′s in fish insure cardiovascular efficiency that not only improves heart heath but increases mental functioning too. Bacon, lunch meats, and high fat meats probably are not something that should take a forefront in a heart promoting diet.

Now, what about your seasonings? Heavy on the salt and black pepper? That’s got to change. Processed table salt needs to be replaced with either sea salt or rock salt. Both of these have the whole complement of trace elements found in natural seawater. The body needs these minerals and they are nutrients for the cardiovascular system. If you must use salt use natural salt such as sea salt. If you have already stopped using salt don’t use a salt substitute, they are unhealthy and unnatural, your body doesn’t know what to do with potassium chloride.

A much better choice is a good herb mix and cayenne pepper for a little kick. Many herbs support the cardiovascular system, lower blood pressure and strengthen the heart.

That’s a start for today. It is time to begin analyzing your food choices, learning, and trying new foods and a new healthy heart diet to keep that heart happy and healthy.

To Your Heart’s Health

Monique Hawkins

540-858-2885

mentormonique@gmail.com

Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newsletter! P.S. For more information about Vita Che, the natural Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit this online nutrition store at http://699456.shopvitamark.com


Heart Disease Myths-Not Knowing These Can Hurt Your Heart

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

We have been covering the top 12 heart disease myths that most of us have heard about. I came across this information at http://www.heartpoint.com/dozendangers.html

All of this is presented by the medical director and practicing cardiologist of Heart Point. Ignore these dangerous myths at your own peril.

Heart Disease Myth #8

Food that has no cholesterol is ok to eat. It has taken years, but the message is out about cholesterol, and almost everyone knows you want less of it. The companies that package food know this, and prominently label their food with sayings like “Low Cholesterol!” It’s easy to forget that saturated fat is important, shifting the liver’s metabolism to higher production of the “bad” types of cholesterol. While “polyunsaturated” fats are less harmful, a diet with moderate amounts of “monounsaturated” fats, such as are found in olive and canola oils may be the most protective of all. The so-called “Mediterranean Diet”, with primarily fresh fruits and vegetables, modest amounts of meat, and significant monounsaturated fat intake seems to be protective, as well as tasty and enjoyable. For more on cholesterol and you diet, follow the link.

Heart Disease Myth #9 A few drinks won’t hurt you.

This actually is not much of a myth . . . as long as it isn’t taken too far. Alcohol in moderate amounts seems to increase the amount of HDL (or “good”) cholesterol. This benefit occurs at around two drinks daily (this means about 2 ounces of liquor, 16-24 ounces of beer, or two glasses of wine). Large quantities of alcohol clearly cause damage to the heart muscle. Wines, particularly red wines, and “dark beers” appear to have additional anti-oxidant activities. While these beneficial effects exist, it remains a bit difficult to encourage people to increase their intake of the most abused drug in the world. Other beverages seem to be just as beneficial, without the side effects which plague alcohol. Try a cup or two of tea (particularly green tea), or grape juice.

Heart Disease Myth #10 Women don’t get heart disease. I’m too young.

Women generally don’t get heart disease at as early an age as men, but they catch up quickly. And even though female hormones are important in decreasing the incidence of blocked arteries, heart attacks can still occur. Heart disease does not always spare the young either. Heart attacks can sometimes occur when people are in their 20′s and 30′s, and are not really all that uncommon at all by the time a person reaches 40 years of age.

Heart Disease Myth #11 Quit work, stress can kill you

Several personality traits and psychological conditions have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of serious heart disease. The classic intense and driven “Type A” personality is well known, but it is not the work that hurts these folks. Those Type A’s who experience hostility along with a continued sense of time urgency are the ones that have the trouble. Depression and social isolation also seem to be important negatives for heart disease.

Heart Disease Myth #12 You’re gonna die anway, so may as well go quick.

Well, the first part of the statement is true, and the second may be a reasonable conclusion as well. Heart disease enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a stalker who may strike suddenly. The myth however, is that it always causes a sudden demise. Unfortunately, it may just as likely cause disability from recurrent chest pain, heart failure, or strokes, and you don’t get to choose!

As you can see, there are many heart disease myths in the United States today. Get educated and do all you can to keep your heart healthy!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

P.S. Vita Che is the ultimate Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit http://699456.shopvitamark.com