Posts Tagged ‘Omega 3’

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


How to Prevent Heart Disease-Three Tips for A Healthy Heart

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

Heart disease is the #1 killer for women. The great news is that there are many things women can do ensure they have a healthy heart.

I know you will enjoy this article by Nina Kathryn Hauptman. In it, she discusses three things you can do to keep your heart healthy.

How to Prevent Heart Disease
http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-prevent-heart-disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is that it is usually preventable if healthy habits are adopted. It may take a bit of effort, but once you have learned how to prevent heart disease you can extend the length of your life.

Tip #1: Eat Right

Naturally, this is easier said than done. Most people tend to choose foods for their flavor rather than their nutritional value. However, it is entirely possible to have the best of both worlds in this case. Experiment with different recipes, or take a trip to a health-conscious restaurant for meal ideas.

Foods to Avoid
* Stay away from foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat. Consume the following in moderation, or not at all:

1. Beef
2. Pork
3. Full-fat dairy
4. Eggs
5. Shrimp
6. Butter
7. Lard
8. Coconut oil
9. Palm oil
10. Excessive amounts of alcohol (over 1-2 drinks per day)

Foods to Embrace
* Many foods will actually lower cholesterol levels and improve heart function. Foods containing polyunsaturated fats, especially Omega-3′s, are very beneficial for your heart. Add the following to your diet:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Fish
4. Beans
5. Walnuts
6. Almonds
7. Flaxseed oil
8. Canola oil
9. One to two alcoholic beverages daily (more is counteractive)

Tip #2 Get Moving

Getting adequate exercise is vital to heart health. Staying active will help remove excess weight and reduce stress, both of which are linked to heart disease. You don’t need to buy an expensive gym membership to get a good workout. You can go for a walk or a jog, opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, do household chores, or ride a bicycle. Experts recommend getting 30-60 minutes of exercise at least 4 days per week.

Tip #3: See Your Doctor

Your physician is the only one who can tell you what shape your heart is in. Get yourself screened annually. If your doctor notices any problems with your health, they will let you know and recommend a course of action. Going to the doctor may be scary for some people, but an office visit is not nearly as frightening as a trip to the emergency room because of a heart attack.

Other Tips:

* You can also help avoid heart disease by:

1. Reducing stress in your life
2. Not smoking
3. Maintaining a healthy weight

Conclusion:
Keeping your heart healthy is usually just a matter of taking care of your body. Eat right and exercise, and you will help not only your heart, but your overall health and appearance. Following the guidelines above will help you lose weight, avoid cancer and fight off infections in addition to bolstering your cardiovascular well-being.