In
today’s society weight loss is the number one priority but it is
keeping a healthy heart that is of the utmost importance. The importance
of lowering cholesterol is a key component in keeping a healthy heart.
Luckily, we are learning more and more of the importance of proper
nutrition to help us have a healthy heart. Here are some nutrition tips
of foods that may aid in keeping a healthy heart.

Nutrition Tips 1: Eat Fish

The
food that for years has been considered brain food, can actually help
you keep a health heart. The omega-3 fatty acid found is fish has been
shown to have many health benefits as well as helping keep a healthy
heart.

Eating 1-2 servings of a 3-ounce fatty fish such as
mackerel,herring,anchovies, or wild Alaskan salmon. Wild Alaskan salmon
is probably the best choice as it has low mercury levels. Also, you
should bake the fish at low heat as it will help preserve omega-3s. If
you are a vegetarian you can add flaxseed to oatmeal,smoothies, or
salads, to get your omega-3s and help keep a healthy heart.

Nutrition Tips 2: Eat Oatmeal

We
all know that oatmeal is great for breakfast but did you realize you
are taking steps to a healthy heart also. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber
which binds to bile acids in the intestines and stomach and is excreted
as waste. In order to make more bile acids, the liver needs cholesterol
to use which it takes from the bloodstream. The result for this
nutrition tip is lower cholesterol levels and a healthy heart.

Taking
in 3 grams of soluble fiber a day could lead to a 5 percent reduction
in chiolesterol. A serving is about a cup and a half and you can add
such things as frozen berries, nonfat plain yogurt, and almonds to get
even more nutrition. What better way to start the morning than eating
breakfast and taking steps to keeping a healthy heart.

Nutrition Tips 3: Avoiding High-Glycemic Foods

The
eating of high-glycemic foods like potatoes, white bread and white
rice, will give you a burst of glucose and insulin. Over time, the
repeated bursts will tire out the pancreas, which produces insulin. This
will increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Eating
high-glycemic foods will lead to get hungrier later and eat more at the
next meal. This leads to weight gain. It is well known that people with
excess fat are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if
they have no other risk factors, according to the American Heart
Association.

The key is to eat low-glycemic foods such as brown
rice,quinoa and barley, and try to swap them for refined grains as often
as possible. When it comes to bread, make sure it contains at least 3
grams of fiber per serving. Many breads that are labeled “whole grain”
have very little fiber but contain a small amount so they can be called
“whole grain”. The first ingredient on the ingredient list should be
“whole wheat flour”, not “enriched”.

Nutrition Tips 4: Eat Nuts

Unlike
the past, studies have shown that eating some nuts may help lower
cholesterol and lead to a healthy heart. Walnuts contain heart healthy
omega-3s, almonds boost calcium, which helps the heart muscle contract,
and brazil nuts have selenium, which is shown to be a heart-protective
antioxidant.

A handful of nuts(about 1 ounce) can be enjoyed
daily. You can do this by adding almonds to oatmeal, muffin batter, or a
salad. Nut butter can also be used and spread on apple slices. Nuts do
have a lot of calories, so it is important to keep the serving size low.
Go nuts for a healthy heart.

Nutrition Tips 5: Beans

Similar
to oatmeal, beans contain soluble fiber and can help keep a health
heart. Soluble fiber can reduce cholesterol and keep arteries free and
clear. Switching from meat to a healthy plant-based protein in contained
in black, kidney, pinto or navy beans, you’ll cut back on saturated
fats, which raise cholesterol, and keep a healthy heart.

It
is recommended to eat beans four to five times a week. You can hide
beans in lots of places, and also layer beans in lasagna, adding them to
taco filling or using several types as the “meat” in an all-bean chili.
If you can’t tolerate beans and opt for the canned varieties, be sure
to buy the variety without added salt and rinse thoroughly. Build up
bean servings slowly because your body does adapt over time and your
healthy heart will thank you.

Nutrition Tips 6: Berries

When
it comes to berries, the more vibrant color, the more disease-fighting
phytochemicals, or bioflavanoids, it contains. Blueberries,
strawberries, raspberries and other berries have strong antioxidant
properties that may help protect against heart disease. Plus, they’re
low in calories and high in fiber.

Two cups of fruit a day is
recommended for general health. Eating berries can be a part of your
fruit intake. In spring and summer, go for fresh, local berries. In
winter, use frozen berries to top oatmeal, mix into smoothies or add to
yogurt.

Now, on to the supplements!

Unfortunately, in
today’s society, a lot of people don’t get adequate nutrients supplied
by diet. And some nutrients are depleted by medications to treat
cardiovascular concerns. So whether consumers are looking to reduce
heart-disease risk or treat an existing condition, certain herbs and
supplements can make a difference. Below is some supplements to help
keep a healthy heart.

1. Coenzyme Q10

Studies show that the energy carrier Co-Q10 helps treat congestive heart
failure and heart arrhythmias, lowers blood pressure and prevents the
oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol. Also, a side
effect of taking cholesterol- cutting statin medications is lower Co-Q10
levels (journal of Hypertension, 2007; Clinical Cardiology, 2004). The
result: fatigue and muscle pain. It is not known if this outcome matters
for heart health, but some studies show that taking supplemental Co-Q10
does reduce symptoms of muscle pain.

Best for? Anyone can take the lower doses. People with higher heart disease risk may benefit most.
How much?
If you’re symptom-free, take 30 to 50 milligrams of Co-Q10 a day. If
you’re on statin-class drugs or have cardiac symptoms, take 100 to 200
milligrams of CoQ10 per day, Rothfeld says.
How safe? Very.

2. Fish Oil

Fish oil sales in 2006 were $489 million, up more than $100 million
from the previous year, according to Nutrition Business journal. Why the
growth spurt? Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids in fish reduce
blood triglycerides (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004). But
cholesterol isn’t the whole story. Inflammation is also a big issue and
can cause arteries to clamp down and form plaque. Anti-inflammatory fish
oil prevents platelets from getting too sticky so blood flows freely
through arteries. Fish oil also mildly lowers blood pressure.

Best for?
Everyone. Women may opt for flaxseed oil instead because it lowers
estrogens, protecting against cancer as well as heart disease.
How much?
Look for an oil with 700 to 750 milligrams of two omega-3 fatty
acids-eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid-and take daily. If
you have heart problems, you can up the dose to 2 grams of EPA and DHA
per day.
How safe? Stop taking fish oil a few days before surgery because the supplement thins blood.

3. Hawthorn

Studies show that extracts of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) berries,
leaves and flowers help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow through
coronary arteries and treat congestive heart failure (British Journal
of General Practice, 2006; The American Journal of Medicine, 2003).

Best for? Hawthorn is excellent for those with mild to moderate high blood pressure, and those with poor circulation.
How much? Take 100 to 300 milligrams of hawthorn extract two to three times a day, Stengler says.
How safe?
Safe, as long as blood pressure doesn’t dip so low that you get dizzy.
Also, the leaf and flower of the plant have diuretic effects and can
possibly lead to dehydration.

Lowering cholesterol levels with
proper nutrition, and in some cases, supplements, is a key to a healthy
heart. Take the steps to keeping a healthy heart by following these
nutrition tips.

http://exerciseandnutritiontips.com

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