Posts Tagged ‘Mediterranean Diet’

Heart Patient Diet-Mediterranean Diet Improves Heart Function

Monday, October 4th, 2010
Mediterranean diet (close up)
Image by grobery via Flickr

What we have been hearing for years is the focus of a study recently released. A Mediterranean-style diet can be good for the heart, especially those who need a special heart patient diet. This research used twins who share identical genes to determine the effects of eating a Mediterranean diet as opposed to a typical Western-style diet. Because twins share the same genetic information, making them equally susceptible genetically to heart disease and other illnesses, they are a favorite of researches attempting to determine the effects of environmental factors like diet.

The researchers looked at just one indication of heart health, the heart rate variability (HRV). This is a measure of the interval between heartbeats; a reduced heart rate variability is a risk for coronary artery disease that may lead to sudden death. Put in layman’s terms, what they found was the Mediterranean diet improved the nervous system’s control of heart rate.

Eating a Mediterranean diet does not mean the typical American style Italian meal, pasta with heavy sauces, pizza, or high-fat lasagna. What it does mean is a diet rich in low saturated fats such as monounsaturated olive oil and an abundance of heart healthy foods like legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables and moderate alcohol consumption. Finding authentic cookbooks that have recipes from Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Middle East can help determine what are really the foods most commonly eaten in this area. Exciting spices add rich flavors to relatively simple meals featuring a wide variety of vegetables, grains, fish and lean meats.

Many studies have shown a correlation between a Mediterranean diet and improved cardiovascular health. Olive oil is believed to lower LDL, bad cholesterol, levels in the blood while leaving HDL, good cholesterol, levels intact. Other studies have looked at the relationship between drinking red wine and heart health. All indicate that a diet high in
vegetables, fruits, fish, and olive oil have benefits to arteries, capillaries, the heart, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, lowering the risk for heart attacks and stroke.

This study was very specific, looking only at the difference in the HRV between the pairs of twins who participated. Almost all of the participants were white males and the researchers say that the results cannot be generalized to include women and other ethnic groups. Their purpose was to seek the exact biological mechanism by which diet effects heart health in an attempt to better understand the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health.

Overall, for those with heat problems who need a special heart patient diet, the Mediterranean diet is a great one to consider!

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

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Women's Heart  Problems-Two Tips for A Strong Healthy Heart

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Base and diaphragmatic surface of heart.
Image via Wikipedia

Everyone needs a strong, healthy heart. This is important because our hearts is like an engine that drives our active lifestyle, and it must be in good health to maintain our muscles and bones, keep our minds sharp, and have an on-going sharp mind. Here are two tips that will help you as a woman keep a strong heart.

Tip #1: Get a heart scan after menopause. It’s scary to think about but even women with normal cholesterol levels can have heart disease! Dr. Mehdi Razavi, a heart specialist at the Texas Heart Institute, says for women to talk to their doctor about getting a coronary artery scan. The test measures calcium accumulation in the arteries which is a predictor of heart disease risk. It also can spot troubles when other tests such as those that test cholesterol levels, are normal.

Tip #2: Go Mediterranean. There are many heart-healthy diets around today. However, not all are created equal. It seems the diet that beats them all is the Mediterranean diet which prevents and even reverses heart disease. Women whose diets include monounsaturated fats from olive and canola oils, nuts, fish, along with loads of fruits and vegetables rduced their reoccurence of heart problems by a whopping 50-70% according to the Lyon Diet Heart Study in Paris.

These are two easy things that women with heart problems and those who do not have heart problems can do to develop a strong heart and prevent or even reverse heart disease. Make sure you follow these tips today!

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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