Fatty fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are significant protectors against cardiovascular disease. In countries where a lot of seafood is eaten, people have less heart disease. A recent study found that eating just one ounce of fish a day, or 2 to 3 servings a week, can decrease the risk of heart disease by 50%. The fatty acids in fish oil fight heart disease by reducing blood vessel constriction, by preventing blood clots, and by raising good HDL cholesterol. The richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids are mackerel, anchovies, herring, salmon, sardines, lake trout, Atlantic sturgeon, and tuna.
In all countries where garlic is part of the everyday diet, people have less heart disease.
Irregular heartbeats cause concern for heart doctors
world wide. One remedy for this condition is a special kind of ginseng reffered to as either tienchi or sanchi. It helps prevent irregular heart rhythms.
One of the best ways to prevent the development of
hardening of the arteries (arteiosclerosis) is to stop
eating meat. By doing so, you will eliminate dangerous
animal fats from your diet. But you will then have to
find other sources of protein, like nuts. Nuts are rich
in protein and minerals, both good for your heart. And,
in the Orient, research indicates that the fats in
walnuts, Brazil nuts and almonds are healthier than
those found in animal products.
Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat, which is the
healthiest type of fat you can eat. The best type of olive oil for the heart is extra virgin olive oil, which is extracted by lightly crushing and pressing the olives. It has the most monounsaturated fat. The word "saturated" tell how the fat behaves in the body. The more saturated it is, the more difficult it is for the liver to process it properly and keep it out of the atreries. "Mono" is the least saturated, "Poly" is more saturated, and just plain "saturated" is the worst. You can judge how saturated a fat is by looking at it. The
harder it is at room temperature, the more saturated it
is. For example, vegetable oils are liquid at room temperature, while butter and lard are solid.
Research indicates that women who eat carrots, fresh
fruit, green vegetables, and fish have a lower risk of
heart attack than women who regularly eat fatty foods.
Women who have a higher concentration of fat in their
fat cells than do men, also have more of a tendency to
store the fat. The fat you see on the outside of your
body is not the only fat you have. Fat also builds up
around organs inside your body. When fat accumulates
around the heart, it can't function properly.
Research in England has shown that the common onion may prevent heart disease. Onions have beneficial effects simmilar to garlic. They help to dissolve blood clots, which are a frequent cause of heart attacks and strokes. The early Egyptians believed that onions purified the blood and were good for the heart. Onions were prescribed by early American doctors for the same reason.
All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope.
--Alexander Dumas
Did you know chocolate is an herb? With heart-healthy antioxidants, the herb has been used medicinally to treat fever, depression, kidney and liver ailments.
Licorice root nutritionally supports the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, heart and spleen. This herb can soothe irritated mucous membranes and help the body get rid of unwanted mucus with its expectorant properties. Licorice Root has properties similar to cortisone and estrogen. It stimulates the adrenal glands and helps the body cope with stress.
Hawthorn is traditionally known for its strong and powerful effect on the circulatory system, particularly the heart. It has been used for centuries with great success, especially in Europe. Even today it remains a favorite among herbalists as a cardiac tonic. Hawthorn is valued for nourishing blood pressure and circulation. When used on a regular, long-term basis hawthorn exerts a continued protection to the cardiovascular system.
Siberian ginseng nutritionally supports the glandular system. It is called an "adaptogen", which means that it helps the body adapt to any situation which normally would alter its function. Siberian Ginseng has a beneficial effect on the heart and circulation. It stimulates the entire body energy to overcome stress, fatigue, and weakness. Studies suggest that Siberian Ginseng may help reduce blood sugar levels, balance blood pressure levels, and enhance the immune system by boosting the body's production of natural killer cells.
HAWTHORN BERRIES: Strengthens the muscles and nerves to the heart; aids in relieving emotional stress; regulates high & low blood pressure; helps combat arteriosclerosis, hypoglycemia and heart disease.
Scientists from Pennsylvania State University report eating walnuts can help reduce inflammatory markers for cardiovascular disease. They found an effect on Creactive protein and harmful plaque adhesion molecules, they report in the Journal of Nutrition. Many people look to fish, such as salmon, for healthful omega-3 fatty acids, notes investigator Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition. "The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts were converted to the same omega-3 fatty acids found in marine sources and had a similar effect on inflammation," she says. "Reducing inflammation can help decrease the process of arteriosclerosis -- the development and build-up of plaque in the arteries." She says a walnut-rich diet may protect against multiple heart disease risk factors, rather than just one, thus potentially having a greater impact on coronary health.
Bugs Bunny was right! Carrots may help keep plaque from forming on artery walls and help prevent heart attacks in people with atherosclerosis. Eating one large carrot daily will give you approximately 11,000 IU of vitamin A from beta-carotene!
Reduce your risk of metabolic disease with a heartier bowl of cereal in the morning. Eating more whole grains significantly reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease deaths in people age 60 and older in a recent study. Steer your health clear of these conditions with cereals made with whole grains, such as whole oats or whole wheat. Low-sugar cereals that contain 5 grams of fiber per serving are another smart choice.
If you take aspirin regularly to thin your blood and reduce your risk of stroke, don't stop taking it without your doctor's supervision. A recent study reveals that stopping aspirin therapy abruptly could increase stroke risk, especially in people with heart disease. Aspirin helps prevent the platelet clumping that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Stick to your doctor-recommended aspirin regimen and consult your doctor before making any changes.
Put fish on the menu to help your heart and lungs battle pollution. The fats in fish may help prevent the unhealthy irregular heartbeats that can be caused by breathing in particulate matter, the fine airborne particles from car emissions, industrial processes, and other sources. Dine on some chunk light tuna or salmon to help get your fill of heart-healthy fish fats.
The consumption of tuna or other broiled or baked fish is
associated with a lower risk of stroke in the elderly, a
Boston study finds. Eating one serving of fried fish or
fish sandwich per week, however, increased the risk of a
stroke by 10 percent, according to study leader Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of the Harvard School of Public Health. The study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, found a 14 percent lower stroke risk with a consumption of broiled or baked fish one to three times per month, while eating broiled or baked fish one to four times per week reduced stroke risk by 28 percent
