Posts Tagged ‘Saturated Fat’

Heart Disease Treatments-These Foods Lower Cholesterol

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

One of the easiest heart disease treatments is work on actively lowering your cholesterol. High cholesterol many times can lead to heart disease. Therefore, it is very important that we pay close attention to what we put in our mouths.

The following article covers a list of foods that will naturally lower your cholesterol levels. The best thing: no medication needed!

A List of Foods That Lower Cholesterol – If You Have High Cholesterol This List is a Must By Rob D. Hawkins

You really don’t have to travel to a far away land filled with danger and intrigue, armed with a treasure map borrowed from the national archives to compile a list of foods that lower cholesterol. Everything you need to put a whipping on high cholesterol levels can be found at your local grocery store or super market. Not quite as sexy, but every bit as effective. But first we should examine what we are trying to avoid, when visiting our local grocery store filled with crazed shoppers armed with very large buggies with at least one bad wheel.

The two fats we will need to avoid are saturated fats and trans fats. Saturated fat could easily go by the alias of big and fat! These fats are solid at room temperature. All meat contains some saturated fat with the well marbled variety winning the gold star for artery clogging prowess. Saturated fat can also be found in abundance in butter, cream, and cheese. Needless to say none of these foods will make it on our list of foods that lower cholesterol.

Our next really dangerous villain goes by the name trans fatty acid but his friends simply call him trans fat. These fats are made in the hydrogenation process that solidifies liquid oils for use in preparation of many food products. Trans fatty acid can be found in such family party favorites as cookies, doughnuts, and crackers. As you may have guessed these food will be left of our list of foods that lower cholesterol as well.

You probably wonder how we can compile a list of delicious foods now that all the fun stuff has been eliminated. It may not be as difficult as you think.

*Fish: Not any fish will do! While the aquarium fish may be appealing for your cat they will not do much for your cholesterol. On the other hand cold water fatty fish high in omega 3 oils raise good cholesterol (HDL) and decrease triglycerides (fatty material that circulates in the blood). Salmon, herring, and mackerel are all very good sources.

*Fruits and Vegetables: How many times do I have to tell you to eat your fruits and vegetables? I’m sure you heard it growing up at least a million times, right! Fruits and vegetables only contain tiny amounts of fat, and most it is unsaturated. Avocados, apples, pears, pomegranates, and blueberries all make our list of foods that lower cholesterol.

*Nuts: Studies from both Loma Linda University and Penn State University confirm that certain nuts do indeed lower cholesterol. Omega 3 fats and antioxidants found in nuts lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL) while working to reverse prior arterial damage caused by saturated fat. Some heart healthy favorites are walnuts and almonds.

*Give me Olive Oil: No, not the rail thin cartoon character but instead the kind that comes in a bottle that you can find on isle 5 in your grocery store. Studies show olive oil lowers bad cholesterol while leaving good cholesterol undisturbed.

Well, there you have it our list of foods that lower cholesterol. Nothing real fancy but the above foods will positively give you an excellent foundation to build your low cholesterol diet around. Additionally, many natural health minded individuals have found that by combining smart diet choices with natural cholesterol reducing remedies they have been able to jump start their cholesterol reducing program. Natural cholesterol reducing remedies are a safe and effective alternative to hard to manage statin drugs and are certainly a natural option worth learning more about.

Rob D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of safe and effective high quality alternative health products and natural living, with over 10 years experience in the field. Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at http://www.Purchase Remedies.com

These foods will call for a lifestyle change for some. However, the sacrifice is necessary if you want to keep a healthy heart!

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. For more information about Vita Che, what I call the 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

Women’s Heart Attack-5 Top Tips for A Healthy Heart

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Over the last few blog posts, we have been learning how women’s heart attack is a big problem in our country. We also have been learning many prevention tips to follow as women that will help us not develop heart disease. Today, we will cover the last 5 heart healthy tips for our “one month to healthier heart and you” series.

Tip #18. Order smart slices. If you are a pizza lover, ask for your pizza with half the cheese and double the sauce. When you do this, you can cut the saturated fat by 5 grams. Plus, since tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, you will be helping your cells fight damage that can lead to atherosclerosis.

Tip #19: Have a heart to heart with mom. If you mother had cardiovascular disease before 65, your own risk doubles. So, if you have a family history of women with women’s heart attack problems, check with your medical doctor. It could be you will need your blood presssure and cholesteol checked yearly.

Tip #20: Drink your veggies. You can get in extra servings of veggies by sipping on low-sodium vegetable juice. In a recent study from the University of California, it was found that those who drank 2 cups a day were able to lower their blood pressure by a whopping 5 point after just three months.

Tip: 21: Practice breathing. A study from the Indian Institute of Technology found that people who practice yoga or similar discliplines have a steadier heart rates which is sign of a healthy heart. It seems that yoga soothes the nervous system which slows breathing and calms the heart.

We have covered a number of tips to help you have a healthy heart. Women’s heart attack problems can be avoided take the necessary steps today to prevent this from happening to you.

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. For more information about Vita Che, what I call the Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit my online nutrition store at http://699456.shopvitamark.com