Heart Health vs. Holistic Health
Jarett Sabirsh asked:
It’s often said that a certain food or vitamin is “good for the heart” or “good for the eyes”, and while this is partly true, it’s also highly necessary to understand that what is good for your heart, is good for the entire body. Your heart does not exist separate from the rest of the body. Your circulatory system doesn’t exist separate from the rest of the body’s systems. Every single system in your body is intricately woven into every other one.
If you took out your heart, what would happen? The entire body dies, of course. What happens if you take out the brain? Again, the whole body dies. Of course, sometimes we have certain particular body parts removed surgically, and the body is able to continue functioning, but nobody can deny that the absence of that part doesn’t affect the way the body as a whole functions.
Your circulatory system isn’t “over here”, while your respiratory system, endocrine system, or brain is “over there”. They are not isolated from each other. They are not two or three. They are one. Every system, every cell, every function, every movement, every thought, and every emotion, is part of a whole body. Ultimately, not a single cell in your body exists separately from any other. What affects one, affects the whole.
Your brain requires blood, oxygen, and nutrients for optimal performance, and your heart needs nutrients, energy, positive peaceful emotions, and a stable mind in order to be optimally healthy. What affects one system, affects all systems. What affects one cell, affects the body as a whole.
Because your brain doesn’t exist separate from your heart, or from any other system, your thoughts, emotions, attitudes, perceptions, and opinions affect the body’s overall state of health just as much as anything else, if not more so. The “placebo effect” and “nocebo effect” is in fact, in effect 100% of the time. The placebo effect is that which is positive, healthy, peaceful, beneficial, truthful, and works in our favor. The nocebo effect is that which is negative, unhealthy, stressful, false, and works against us.
No one part of your body can be successfully healed, or “cured”, without taking care of the body/mind as a whole. Thus, the practice of “holistic health”, which has far greater success rates at reversing degenerative diseases than the common mainstream approaches. Traditional western medicine is often reductionist, only focusing on isolated individual systems, and that is precisely its limitation. Mainstream western medicine very often doesn’t take into account the nutrients that we provide our cells, or the emotional aspects of the brain’s workings.
Some of the more enlightened doctors and scientists who are aware of this however, even estimate that up to 90% of all health issues and diseases are at least somewhat, if not significantly, the result of stressful negative mentalities. They understand that negative emotions and attitudes are stressful on our body and cells because they increase blood pressure levels, overload the adrenal glands, restrict oxygen flow, and more. They also realize that when we eat an unhealthy food, that affects our entire mind and body as a whole in a stressful negative manner. When we eat a life sustaining healthy food, that uplifts and heals the entire mind/body.
Because all the systems of the body are one, and because the body has many needs for its many functions, we need a diet with an all-encompassing range of nutrients. That is, we need to give it the whole gamut of required tools. The all-encompassing health benefits that people receive as a result of doing this, are of course, absolutely incredible. I can’t recommend highly enough, that you too, incorporate this information into your daily health routine.
To sum it up, a person’s state of overall physical and mental health is a perfect reflection of their dietary habits, their emotional well-being, their level of awareness/truth, their environmental influences, and their choices. And since all of these come down to choice, nobody can save us, heal us, or cure us, except ourselves. Neither I, or a doctor, can change you. Only you can change yourself.
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It’s often said that a certain food or vitamin is “good for the heart” or “good for the eyes”, and while this is partly true, it’s also highly necessary to understand that what is good for your heart, is good for the entire body. Your heart does not exist separate from the rest of the body. Your circulatory system doesn’t exist separate from the rest of the body’s systems. Every single system in your body is intricately woven into every other one.
If you took out your heart, what would happen? The entire body dies, of course. What happens if you take out the brain? Again, the whole body dies. Of course, sometimes we have certain particular body parts removed surgically, and the body is able to continue functioning, but nobody can deny that the absence of that part doesn’t affect the way the body as a whole functions.
Your circulatory system isn’t “over here”, while your respiratory system, endocrine system, or brain is “over there”. They are not isolated from each other. They are not two or three. They are one. Every system, every cell, every function, every movement, every thought, and every emotion, is part of a whole body. Ultimately, not a single cell in your body exists separately from any other. What affects one, affects the whole.
Your brain requires blood, oxygen, and nutrients for optimal performance, and your heart needs nutrients, energy, positive peaceful emotions, and a stable mind in order to be optimally healthy. What affects one system, affects all systems. What affects one cell, affects the body as a whole.
Because your brain doesn’t exist separate from your heart, or from any other system, your thoughts, emotions, attitudes, perceptions, and opinions affect the body’s overall state of health just as much as anything else, if not more so. The “placebo effect” and “nocebo effect” is in fact, in effect 100% of the time. The placebo effect is that which is positive, healthy, peaceful, beneficial, truthful, and works in our favor. The nocebo effect is that which is negative, unhealthy, stressful, false, and works against us.
No one part of your body can be successfully healed, or “cured”, without taking care of the body/mind as a whole. Thus, the practice of “holistic health”, which has far greater success rates at reversing degenerative diseases than the common mainstream approaches. Traditional western medicine is often reductionist, only focusing on isolated individual systems, and that is precisely its limitation. Mainstream western medicine very often doesn’t take into account the nutrients that we provide our cells, or the emotional aspects of the brain’s workings.
Some of the more enlightened doctors and scientists who are aware of this however, even estimate that up to 90% of all health issues and diseases are at least somewhat, if not significantly, the result of stressful negative mentalities. They understand that negative emotions and attitudes are stressful on our body and cells because they increase blood pressure levels, overload the adrenal glands, restrict oxygen flow, and more. They also realize that when we eat an unhealthy food, that affects our entire mind and body as a whole in a stressful negative manner. When we eat a life sustaining healthy food, that uplifts and heals the entire mind/body.
Because all the systems of the body are one, and because the body has many needs for its many functions, we need a diet with an all-encompassing range of nutrients. That is, we need to give it the whole gamut of required tools. The all-encompassing health benefits that people receive as a result of doing this, are of course, absolutely incredible. I can’t recommend highly enough, that you too, incorporate this information into your daily health routine.
To sum it up, a person’s state of overall physical and mental health is a perfect reflection of their dietary habits, their emotional well-being, their level of awareness/truth, their environmental influences, and their choices. And since all of these come down to choice, nobody can save us, heal us, or cure us, except ourselves. Neither I, or a doctor, can change you. Only you can change yourself.
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Heart Health – What you Eat Makes a Difference
Cole Carson asked:
Heart health is becoming a hotter and hotter topic these days. Everybody knows that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, we’ve heard the numbers for years now. The great news is that there are plenty of amazing things we can do at any age to help upkeep the health of our most important organ. As we all know, exercise and keeping fit are extraordinarily important, but there are also many vitamins and foods that contain numerous benefits in keeping our hearts healthy and reducing our chances for getting heart disease.
Since we were kids we’ve heard from everywhere and everyone the importance of taking our vitamins, so they’re probably a really great place to start. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to find out that there are certain vitamins that have been shown to decrease our chances of heart disease. The B vitamins have been shown to play an extraordinarily important role in helping to prevent heart problems. A deficiency of the vitamins B9 and B6 cause high levels of a chemical compound called homocysteine in our blood. In high levels, homocysteine weakens and damages arteries, greatly increasing your risk of heart disease. By taking these vitamins you can help your body maintain healthy levels of homocysteine.
The foods you eat are one of the most important factors to your health. Whatever you put in your body gets absorbed, so when you’re eating nutritious foods you’re going to be a much healthier person. There are plenty of foods out there that have been shown to be very effective in keeping your body healthy.
Most fruits are good for our bodies, and blueberries are no exception. These little treats happen to be loaded with anthocyanin, a natural antioxidant. We all know that antioxidants are key to our health, and that they protect our bodies from premature aging by fighting the damage done by free radicals. What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that they can also reduce your risk of developing certain forms of cancer, and help to protect you against heart disease. There’s really no reason not to throw blueberries in your trail mix bag, toss them in with a salad, or eat a handful every day.
Eating fish is also another great way to help keep your heart healthy. Fish is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, which research has pointed to being extremely beneficial in reducing heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol. While eating fish is definitely the most natural and beneficial way of getting your dose of omega-3 fatty acids, you can also take a fish oil supplement as well.
Foods high in dietary fiber have also been shown to help in reducing cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy, so eating plenty of whole wheat, fruits like apples and bananas, and vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli can make a big difference in your heart’s overall health. Snacking on whole wheat cereals, adding some sliced up fruit to your breakfast, and steaming up some vegetables for dinner is a great way to incorporate these into your diet on a regular basis.
It’s common knowledge what foods need to be avoided to keep our hearts healthy, but this is only half of the solution to achieving total heart nutrition. Incorporating vitamins and foods that benefit your heart, on top of regular exercise, provide the rest of the solution. Heart disease is a very real danger, and the number of victims it claims only rise each year. By choosing a healthier, more nutritious diet, you’re taking a big step to making sure that you aren’t one of those numbers.
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Heart health is becoming a hotter and hotter topic these days. Everybody knows that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans, we’ve heard the numbers for years now. The great news is that there are plenty of amazing things we can do at any age to help upkeep the health of our most important organ. As we all know, exercise and keeping fit are extraordinarily important, but there are also many vitamins and foods that contain numerous benefits in keeping our hearts healthy and reducing our chances for getting heart disease.
Since we were kids we’ve heard from everywhere and everyone the importance of taking our vitamins, so they’re probably a really great place to start. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to find out that there are certain vitamins that have been shown to decrease our chances of heart disease. The B vitamins have been shown to play an extraordinarily important role in helping to prevent heart problems. A deficiency of the vitamins B9 and B6 cause high levels of a chemical compound called homocysteine in our blood. In high levels, homocysteine weakens and damages arteries, greatly increasing your risk of heart disease. By taking these vitamins you can help your body maintain healthy levels of homocysteine.
The foods you eat are one of the most important factors to your health. Whatever you put in your body gets absorbed, so when you’re eating nutritious foods you’re going to be a much healthier person. There are plenty of foods out there that have been shown to be very effective in keeping your body healthy.
Most fruits are good for our bodies, and blueberries are no exception. These little treats happen to be loaded with anthocyanin, a natural antioxidant. We all know that antioxidants are key to our health, and that they protect our bodies from premature aging by fighting the damage done by free radicals. What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that they can also reduce your risk of developing certain forms of cancer, and help to protect you against heart disease. There’s really no reason not to throw blueberries in your trail mix bag, toss them in with a salad, or eat a handful every day.
Eating fish is also another great way to help keep your heart healthy. Fish is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, which research has pointed to being extremely beneficial in reducing heart disease by helping to lower cholesterol. While eating fish is definitely the most natural and beneficial way of getting your dose of omega-3 fatty acids, you can also take a fish oil supplement as well.
Foods high in dietary fiber have also been shown to help in reducing cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy, so eating plenty of whole wheat, fruits like apples and bananas, and vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli can make a big difference in your heart’s overall health. Snacking on whole wheat cereals, adding some sliced up fruit to your breakfast, and steaming up some vegetables for dinner is a great way to incorporate these into your diet on a regular basis.
It’s common knowledge what foods need to be avoided to keep our hearts healthy, but this is only half of the solution to achieving total heart nutrition. Incorporating vitamins and foods that benefit your heart, on top of regular exercise, provide the rest of the solution. Heart disease is a very real danger, and the number of victims it claims only rise each year. By choosing a healthier, more nutritious diet, you’re taking a big step to making sure that you aren’t one of those numbers.
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Cardio Enthusiasts Discover a More Effective Training Method for Fat Loss and Heart Health!
Alder Debid asked:
It is common to hear fitness professionals and medical doctors prescribe low to moderate intensity aerobic training (cardio) to people who are trying to prevent heart disease or lose weight. Most often, the recommendations constitute something along the lines of “perform 30-60 minutes of steady pace cardio 3-5 times per week maintaining your heart rate at a moderate level”. Before you just give in to this popular belief and become the “hamster on the wheel” doing endless hours of boring cardio, I’d like you to consider some recent scientific research that indicates that steady pace endurance cardio work may not be all it’s cracked up to be.
First, realize that our bodies are designed to perform physical activity in bursts of exertion followed by recovery, or stop-and-go movement instead of steady state movement. Recent research is suggesting that physical variability is one of the most important aspects to consider in your training. This tendency can be seen throughout nature as all animals demonstrate stop-and-go motion instead of steady state motion. In fact, humans are the only creatures in nature that attempt to do “endurance” type physical activities. Most competitive sports (with the exception of endurance running or cycling) are also based on stop-and-go movement or short bursts of exertion followed by recovery. To examine an example of the different effects of endurance or steady state training versus stop-and-go training, consider the physiques of marathoners versus sprinters. Most sprinters carry a physique that is very lean, muscular, and powerful looking, while the typical dedicated marathoner is more often emaciated and sickly looking. Now which would you rather resemble?
Another factor to keep in mind regarding the benefits of physical variability is the internal effect of various forms of exercise on our body. Scientists have known that excessive steady state endurance exercise (different for everyone, but sometimes defined as greater than 60 minutes per session most days of the week) increases free radical production in the body, can degenerate joints, reduces immune function, causes muscle wasting, and can cause a pro-inflammatory response in the body that can potentially lead to chronic diseases. On the other hand, highly variable cyclic training has been linked to increased anti-oxidant production in the body and an anti-inflammatory response, a more efficient nitric oxide response (which can encourage a healthy cardiovascular system), and an increased metabolic rate response (which can assist with weight loss).
Furthermore, steady state endurance training only trains the heart at one specific heart rate range and doesn’t train it to respond to various every day stressors. On the other hand, highly variable cyclic training teaches the heart to respond to and recover from a variety of demands making it less likely to fail when you need it. Think about it this way — Exercise that trains your heart to rapidly increase and rapidly decrease will make your heart more capable of handling everyday stress. Stress can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase rapidly. Steady state jogging and other endurance training does not train your heart to be able to handle rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
The important aspect of variable cyclic training that makes it superior over steady state cardio is the recovery period in between bursts of exertion. That recovery period is crucially important for the body to elicit a healthy response to an exercise stimulus. Another benefit of variable cyclic training is that it is much more interesting and has lower drop-out rates than long boring steady state cardio programs.
To summarize, some of the potential benefits of variable cyclic training compared to steady state endurance training are as follows: improved cardiovascular health, increased anti-oxidant protection, improved immune function, reduced risk for joint wear and tear, reduced muscle wasting, increased residual metabolic rate following exercise, and an increased capacity for the heart to handle life’s every day stressors. There are many ways you can reap the benefits of stop-and-go or variable intensity physical training. One of the absolute most effective forms of variable intensity training to really reduce body fat and bring out serious muscular definition is performing wind sprints.
Most competitive sports such as football, basketball, racquetball, tennis, hockey, etc. are naturally comprised of highly variable stop-and-go motion. In addition, weight training naturally incorporates short bursts of exertion followed by recovery periods. High intensity interval training (varying between high and low intensity intervals on any piece of cardio equipment) is yet another training method that utilizes exertion and recovery periods. For example, an interval training session on the treadmill could look something like this:
Warm-up for 3-4 minutes at a fast walk or light jog;
Interval 1 – run at 8.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 2 – walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Interval 3 – run at 10.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 4 – walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Repeat those 4 intervals 4 times for a very intense 20-minute workout.
The take-away message from this article is to try to train your body at highly variable intensity rates for the majority of your workouts to get the most beneficial response in terms of heart health, fat loss, and muscle maintenance.
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It is common to hear fitness professionals and medical doctors prescribe low to moderate intensity aerobic training (cardio) to people who are trying to prevent heart disease or lose weight. Most often, the recommendations constitute something along the lines of “perform 30-60 minutes of steady pace cardio 3-5 times per week maintaining your heart rate at a moderate level”. Before you just give in to this popular belief and become the “hamster on the wheel” doing endless hours of boring cardio, I’d like you to consider some recent scientific research that indicates that steady pace endurance cardio work may not be all it’s cracked up to be.
First, realize that our bodies are designed to perform physical activity in bursts of exertion followed by recovery, or stop-and-go movement instead of steady state movement. Recent research is suggesting that physical variability is one of the most important aspects to consider in your training. This tendency can be seen throughout nature as all animals demonstrate stop-and-go motion instead of steady state motion. In fact, humans are the only creatures in nature that attempt to do “endurance” type physical activities. Most competitive sports (with the exception of endurance running or cycling) are also based on stop-and-go movement or short bursts of exertion followed by recovery. To examine an example of the different effects of endurance or steady state training versus stop-and-go training, consider the physiques of marathoners versus sprinters. Most sprinters carry a physique that is very lean, muscular, and powerful looking, while the typical dedicated marathoner is more often emaciated and sickly looking. Now which would you rather resemble?
Another factor to keep in mind regarding the benefits of physical variability is the internal effect of various forms of exercise on our body. Scientists have known that excessive steady state endurance exercise (different for everyone, but sometimes defined as greater than 60 minutes per session most days of the week) increases free radical production in the body, can degenerate joints, reduces immune function, causes muscle wasting, and can cause a pro-inflammatory response in the body that can potentially lead to chronic diseases. On the other hand, highly variable cyclic training has been linked to increased anti-oxidant production in the body and an anti-inflammatory response, a more efficient nitric oxide response (which can encourage a healthy cardiovascular system), and an increased metabolic rate response (which can assist with weight loss).
Furthermore, steady state endurance training only trains the heart at one specific heart rate range and doesn’t train it to respond to various every day stressors. On the other hand, highly variable cyclic training teaches the heart to respond to and recover from a variety of demands making it less likely to fail when you need it. Think about it this way — Exercise that trains your heart to rapidly increase and rapidly decrease will make your heart more capable of handling everyday stress. Stress can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase rapidly. Steady state jogging and other endurance training does not train your heart to be able to handle rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
The important aspect of variable cyclic training that makes it superior over steady state cardio is the recovery period in between bursts of exertion. That recovery period is crucially important for the body to elicit a healthy response to an exercise stimulus. Another benefit of variable cyclic training is that it is much more interesting and has lower drop-out rates than long boring steady state cardio programs.
To summarize, some of the potential benefits of variable cyclic training compared to steady state endurance training are as follows: improved cardiovascular health, increased anti-oxidant protection, improved immune function, reduced risk for joint wear and tear, reduced muscle wasting, increased residual metabolic rate following exercise, and an increased capacity for the heart to handle life’s every day stressors. There are many ways you can reap the benefits of stop-and-go or variable intensity physical training. One of the absolute most effective forms of variable intensity training to really reduce body fat and bring out serious muscular definition is performing wind sprints.
Most competitive sports such as football, basketball, racquetball, tennis, hockey, etc. are naturally comprised of highly variable stop-and-go motion. In addition, weight training naturally incorporates short bursts of exertion followed by recovery periods. High intensity interval training (varying between high and low intensity intervals on any piece of cardio equipment) is yet another training method that utilizes exertion and recovery periods. For example, an interval training session on the treadmill could look something like this:
Warm-up for 3-4 minutes at a fast walk or light jog;
Interval 1 – run at 8.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 2 – walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Interval 3 – run at 10.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 4 – walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Repeat those 4 intervals 4 times for a very intense 20-minute workout.
The take-away message from this article is to try to train your body at highly variable intensity rates for the majority of your workouts to get the most beneficial response in terms of heart health, fat loss, and muscle maintenance.
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Heart Health Information Everyone Should Know
Steven A Johnson asked:
Your heart is located in the middle of your chest just slightly to the left. It’s about the size of your fist and it sends blood to every part of your body like a pump. The right side of your heart receives the blood and pumps it to the lungs and the left side receives the blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body. The heart beats by filling the heart with blood and then contracting to move the blood along.
There are four main chambers in the heart. The atria are the two chambers on top. They are the ones that fill with blood the returns from the lungs and body. The ventricles are the chambers and the bottom. These chambers pump the blood out into the body and lungs. The septum is a wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. There is also one valve in each of the chambers; they are called the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves. They let the blood flow from the atria to the ventricles by closing one valve and then opening another. The blood that your heart pumps moves through your arteries and veins. These blood vessels are attached to your heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and the veins bring it back.
There is few easy things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Exercising helps keep your heart healthy. Try to get at least 30 minutes a day or an hour is even better. Five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and avoid sugary and fatty foods. Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels so quit if you are a smoker. Eating less salt will lower blood pressure levels, so don’t add it to your foods and cook less with it. Watch your weight, try to stay at a weight the is proper for your age and height. Relax, stress can but pressure on your heart. And lastly, get a yearly check up.
Keeping your heart healthy can prevent risks of getting heart disease. heart disease is the number one problem for men and women in the states. Heart disease is also called cardiovascular disease. the disease has a number of problems that go with it like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chest pain, heart attacks, strokes, and hardening of the arteries.
Many people don’t even realize that they have heart disease until they experience chest pains, stroke, or heart attack. A person who has heart disease might have to take medicine or go in to surgery. There is some supplements that can be taken that can help to prevent heart problems. Alternative Health Supplements offers some all natural supplements that can support and maintain a healthy heart as well as promote good blood vessel health and function. Some doctors can prescribe medications too; they might recommend taking a blood thinner.
Some of the surgery involved in heart disease, angioplasty is done to help blocked vessels by using a balloon like tool in the artery. Atherectomy cuts plaque out of an artery so the blood can flow easier. Pacemakers are a device that is put in the body to keep the heart beat regular. Valve replacement is done if there is a valve that is damaged. And Bypass surgery takes a part of the artery from another part of the body and uses it to direct blood around a blocked area. These surgeries can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
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Your heart is located in the middle of your chest just slightly to the left. It’s about the size of your fist and it sends blood to every part of your body like a pump. The right side of your heart receives the blood and pumps it to the lungs and the left side receives the blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body. The heart beats by filling the heart with blood and then contracting to move the blood along.
There are four main chambers in the heart. The atria are the two chambers on top. They are the ones that fill with blood the returns from the lungs and body. The ventricles are the chambers and the bottom. These chambers pump the blood out into the body and lungs. The septum is a wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. There is also one valve in each of the chambers; they are called the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves. They let the blood flow from the atria to the ventricles by closing one valve and then opening another. The blood that your heart pumps moves through your arteries and veins. These blood vessels are attached to your heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and the veins bring it back.
There is few easy things you can do to keep your heart healthy. Exercising helps keep your heart healthy. Try to get at least 30 minutes a day or an hour is even better. Five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and avoid sugary and fatty foods. Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels so quit if you are a smoker. Eating less salt will lower blood pressure levels, so don’t add it to your foods and cook less with it. Watch your weight, try to stay at a weight the is proper for your age and height. Relax, stress can but pressure on your heart. And lastly, get a yearly check up.
Keeping your heart healthy can prevent risks of getting heart disease. heart disease is the number one problem for men and women in the states. Heart disease is also called cardiovascular disease. the disease has a number of problems that go with it like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chest pain, heart attacks, strokes, and hardening of the arteries.
Many people don’t even realize that they have heart disease until they experience chest pains, stroke, or heart attack. A person who has heart disease might have to take medicine or go in to surgery. There is some supplements that can be taken that can help to prevent heart problems. Alternative Health Supplements offers some all natural supplements that can support and maintain a healthy heart as well as promote good blood vessel health and function. Some doctors can prescribe medications too; they might recommend taking a blood thinner.
Some of the surgery involved in heart disease, angioplasty is done to help blocked vessels by using a balloon like tool in the artery. Atherectomy cuts plaque out of an artery so the blood can flow easier. Pacemakers are a device that is put in the body to keep the heart beat regular. Valve replacement is done if there is a valve that is damaged. And Bypass surgery takes a part of the artery from another part of the body and uses it to direct blood around a blocked area. These surgeries can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
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Women’s Heart Health
Richard Helfant, Md asked:
Most women know that heart disease is the number-one killer in the United States–of men. Most women also realize the value of eating healthy food, exercising, and decreasing stress–for their families and loved ones. Information is abundant and readily available in books, newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio about the risk of cardiovascular disease in men.
But the widespread belief that heart disease is exclusively a man’s problem is a myth. Women–and most physicians–are not aware that cardiovascular disease is the number one-killer of women as well as men. The facts speak for themselves: Of the 520,000 people who die of heart attacks in the United States each year, almost half–about 250,000–are women In addition, almost 100,000 women die of strokes. Substantially fewer women die annually from ****** cancer (40,500) or lung cancer (41,500). Overall, heart and vascular diseases claim more American women’s lives than do all forms of cancer combined.
Moreover, many of the factors that determine the risk of heart disease for women differ from those for men. Dr. William Castelli, a leading authority on heart disease and director of the Framingham Heart Study, which has done research on heart disease risk factors for forty years, has referred to these unique risks for women as a “whole new syndrome” associated with a “galloping progression of atherosclerosis.
Women are largely unaware of the effects of estrogen, birth control pills, and cigarettes and few know that if they smoke and take birth control pills, they have about forty times more chance of heart disease than women who do not. Women above age thirty-five are particularly at risk. It is vital to understand the factors favoring heart disease, because they may be avoidable or modifiable. In fact, according to Dr. Dean Ornish, women may have to do less than men to affect their outlook positively. In a study he conducted evaluating the effect of life-style changes in reversing heart disease, women responded better than men, even when women did less to restrict their diets, exercise, or reduce stress. By understanding their risks and ways to minimize them, women can lessen the chances of being victims of what the American Heart Association has called “the silent epidemic.”
The purpose of developing and maintaining a healthy way of life for yourself as a woman is not only to decrease the risk of heart disease but also to fell well and feel good. Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial. More women than ever are discovering that exercise in moderation is exhilirating. Healthy changes in eating do not have to be unduly restrictive. The food you eat can continue to be delicious and satisfying. By using simply new tools to maintain a healthy weight, you will decrease the chances of developing three big heart disease risks–diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol–and discover a renewed sense of self at the same time.
By taking control of your health, you will be more able to take control of other aspects of your life. In so doing, you will achieve a greater sense of well-being, which is the true meaning of health. This is a marvelous opportunity for you personally. In addition, your new healthy living habits can be a model for family and friends. You thus may make a significant difference in their lives and health as well as your own. In the words of Hillel: “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? If not now, when?”
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Most women know that heart disease is the number-one killer in the United States–of men. Most women also realize the value of eating healthy food, exercising, and decreasing stress–for their families and loved ones. Information is abundant and readily available in books, newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio about the risk of cardiovascular disease in men.
But the widespread belief that heart disease is exclusively a man’s problem is a myth. Women–and most physicians–are not aware that cardiovascular disease is the number one-killer of women as well as men. The facts speak for themselves: Of the 520,000 people who die of heart attacks in the United States each year, almost half–about 250,000–are women In addition, almost 100,000 women die of strokes. Substantially fewer women die annually from ****** cancer (40,500) or lung cancer (41,500). Overall, heart and vascular diseases claim more American women’s lives than do all forms of cancer combined.
Moreover, many of the factors that determine the risk of heart disease for women differ from those for men. Dr. William Castelli, a leading authority on heart disease and director of the Framingham Heart Study, which has done research on heart disease risk factors for forty years, has referred to these unique risks for women as a “whole new syndrome” associated with a “galloping progression of atherosclerosis.
Women are largely unaware of the effects of estrogen, birth control pills, and cigarettes and few know that if they smoke and take birth control pills, they have about forty times more chance of heart disease than women who do not. Women above age thirty-five are particularly at risk. It is vital to understand the factors favoring heart disease, because they may be avoidable or modifiable. In fact, according to Dr. Dean Ornish, women may have to do less than men to affect their outlook positively. In a study he conducted evaluating the effect of life-style changes in reversing heart disease, women responded better than men, even when women did less to restrict their diets, exercise, or reduce stress. By understanding their risks and ways to minimize them, women can lessen the chances of being victims of what the American Heart Association has called “the silent epidemic.”
The purpose of developing and maintaining a healthy way of life for yourself as a woman is not only to decrease the risk of heart disease but also to fell well and feel good. Physical activity does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial. More women than ever are discovering that exercise in moderation is exhilirating. Healthy changes in eating do not have to be unduly restrictive. The food you eat can continue to be delicious and satisfying. By using simply new tools to maintain a healthy weight, you will decrease the chances of developing three big heart disease risks–diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol–and discover a renewed sense of self at the same time.
By taking control of your health, you will be more able to take control of other aspects of your life. In so doing, you will achieve a greater sense of well-being, which is the true meaning of health. This is a marvelous opportunity for you personally. In addition, your new healthy living habits can be a model for family and friends. You thus may make a significant difference in their lives and health as well as your own. In the words of Hillel: “If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? If not now, when?”
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(Nitric Oxide) Heart Health Supplements: Fact or Fiction?
Eric Glenn asked:
ll of the claims out there that dietary supplements can cure everything from cancer to toe fungus, it is hard to know what to believe. Some dietary supplement products have undergone rigorous testing. Others have not. Some supplements contain ingredients of the highest possible quality. Others do not. There is no wonder that people haven’t been taking full advantage of the supplements that are worthwhile; no one knows what to believe. One thing that is for sure is that there have been a number of studies that have validated the usefulness of a collection of supplements that focus on heart health and aid the body in doing more easily what it does best.
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ll of the claims out there that dietary supplements can cure everything from cancer to toe fungus, it is hard to know what to believe. Some dietary supplement products have undergone rigorous testing. Others have not. Some supplements contain ingredients of the highest possible quality. Others do not. There is no wonder that people haven’t been taking full advantage of the supplements that are worthwhile; no one knows what to believe. One thing that is for sure is that there have been a number of studies that have validated the usefulness of a collection of supplements that focus on heart health and aid the body in doing more easily what it does best.
Heart health is arguably the most important aspect of personal health that we should be concerned with. This is the case for a number of reasons. First of all, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of Americans. Millions of people die every year from heart health related issues. Another reason why so many people are becoming concerned about their heart health is because more and more people are beginning to realize what role the heart plays in their overall sense of well-being. You may or may not know that a healthy heart allows you to benefit from a variety of healthy lifestyle advantages. When your heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body, you feel more energetic and have more stamina to do the things that you love. The heart is arguably the most vital of all organs so finding ways to keep it healthy and at an optimum working level is definitely advantageous.
So what types of supplements are available that can help strengthen your heart health? Research has shown that the supplement L-Arginine can have dramatic benefits in the prevention of symptoms of cardiovascular disease. L-Arginine has a dual benefit. First, L-Arginine will provide immune system benefits that range from simply feeling better from day to say, to keeping the blood flow to the heart at a healthy level. L-Arginine is so efficient in the fight against illnesses because it is an amino acid. More specifically, L-Arginine restores production of nitric oxide to the body, a key element in improving blood flow. As was previously mentioned, improved blood flow means that the heart does not have to work as hard to do its job. You benefit not only from a higher energy level but you also gain the long term advantages of lowering bad levels of cholesterol and avoiding putting unnecessary strain on your heart (very possibly prolonging life and the quality thereof).
Of course the benefits of using supplements that can enhance the health of your heart are obvious, but you must also consider that having a dietary supplement that provides benefits to other aspects of your health is also going to be an important addition to your diet. It stands to reason that the best supplement combinations are the ones that address the most pressing health concerns and are specifically formulated to work with each other to enhance overall health. Proven products such as this are hard to find. Use products that include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbal extracts to create a wellness system that can benefit you. Talk with your doctor to see if the product is right for you. You will want to make sure that you discuss any current medications that you are taking as well as information regarding whether or not you have been diagnosed or are being treated for any cardiovascular disease.
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Are You Taking Fish Oil for Heart Health?
Peter Foremski asked:
Have you ever considered taking fish oil for heart health? Here’s a few reasons why maybe you should. There’s already a lot of sound advice out there about how we should eat sensibly, take daily exercise and watch our weight. Sooner or later these may impact on how healthy your heart is and perhaps we shouldn’t forget the hereditary factors also.
Because cardiovascular diseases are still big killers nationally, there’s been a wealth of medical research that has resulted in some truly effective medicines and treatments. Alongside this there’s also been a resurgence in the many different ways we can take care of ourselves, using natural and complementary methods or techniques.
That includes our nutrition and taking dietary supplements is where the fish oil heart connections come in. Many studies that have examined these essential fatty acids have recommended their use in maintaining a healthy heart. Even the American Heart Association has expressed positive comments on its continual use for normally healthy people, to those at risk of getting an attack. Their recommendation is to ensure you get at least 900mg of fish oils, from either your diet or via capsules.
Additionally there has been a lot more good news, as they also help in benefiting hypertension, reducing heart irregularities, anti-clotting and with circulatory problems.
You can get the benefit of my own research into what constitutes an effective supplement by looking on my main site. This will ensure that when you take fish oil for heart health you are taking the best one’s possible.
heart health
Have you ever considered taking fish oil for heart health? Here’s a few reasons why maybe you should. There’s already a lot of sound advice out there about how we should eat sensibly, take daily exercise and watch our weight. Sooner or later these may impact on how healthy your heart is and perhaps we shouldn’t forget the hereditary factors also.
Because cardiovascular diseases are still big killers nationally, there’s been a wealth of medical research that has resulted in some truly effective medicines and treatments. Alongside this there’s also been a resurgence in the many different ways we can take care of ourselves, using natural and complementary methods or techniques.
That includes our nutrition and taking dietary supplements is where the fish oil heart connections come in. Many studies that have examined these essential fatty acids have recommended their use in maintaining a healthy heart. Even the American Heart Association has expressed positive comments on its continual use for normally healthy people, to those at risk of getting an attack. Their recommendation is to ensure you get at least 900mg of fish oils, from either your diet or via capsules.
Additionally there has been a lot more good news, as they also help in benefiting hypertension, reducing heart irregularities, anti-clotting and with circulatory problems.
You can get the benefit of my own research into what constitutes an effective supplement by looking on my main site. This will ensure that when you take fish oil for heart health you are taking the best one’s possible.
heart health
Alcohol and the Benefits to your Heart Health
S. Michael Windsor asked:
Alcohol and the Benefits to Your Heart Health
After countless studies have been conducted on how alcohol affects our cardiovascular health, many extraordinary results have been discovered. Namely, how moderate consumption of alcohol actually helps our heart. There are numerous ways in which alcohol helps our heart, but we will merely be looking at the surface of what benefits drinking 1-2 drinks per day can provide.
As most of us have already heard, red wine has a very beneficial element that can help improve our health. Red wine contains polyphenol antioxidants which assist in fighting cardiovascular diseases as well as many other diseases and conditions such as thrombosis, or blood clotting.
Drinking moderately has not only also shown that it can help prevent blood clotting and blood clotters like fibrinogen; it also can increase your HDL cholesterol levels, which is the good cholesterol. In addition to these wonderful attributes, alcohol consumption in moderation can help alleviate artery stress spasms, increase insulin sensitivities, while improving blood flow.
Not only is it a good thing for individuals to drink alcohol moderately, but many doctors use alcohol in treatments for such things as improving artery walls in addition to alcohol’s healing attributes.
Studies have shown that those who drink moderately tend to live longer and healthier lives, as opposed to those who remain abstinent or are heavy drinkers, after reviewing the results. Also, tests have shown that those who drink alcohol moderately also help prevent heart attacks and/or the survivability of a heart attack. This also demonstrated that those moderate drinkers who did have a heart attack were less likely to have another heart attack.
In addition to heart health alone, alcohol has the ability to prevent strokes. However, it is important to remember that this is in reference to a moderate amount of alcohol regularly. Individuals who drink more than a moderate amount, such as heavy drinkers, do raise the bar and provide themselves with a higher risk of stroke as well as many other health risks.
There are many more benefits to moderate consumption of alcohol, as we discuss in other articles as well as at The Hangover Network website. But, as for alcohol and our cardiovascular health, it seems that alcohol is indeed becoming more and more realized as a preventative measure against many different types of diseases and conditions versus an alcohol free or heavy alcohol consumption lifestyle. Please remember that these statements are based on tests done by organizations and colleges such as Harvard Medical, The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), World Health Organization, and The American Heart Association.
Kansieo.com
Alcohol and the Benefits to Your Heart Health
After countless studies have been conducted on how alcohol affects our cardiovascular health, many extraordinary results have been discovered. Namely, how moderate consumption of alcohol actually helps our heart. There are numerous ways in which alcohol helps our heart, but we will merely be looking at the surface of what benefits drinking 1-2 drinks per day can provide.
As most of us have already heard, red wine has a very beneficial element that can help improve our health. Red wine contains polyphenol antioxidants which assist in fighting cardiovascular diseases as well as many other diseases and conditions such as thrombosis, or blood clotting.
Drinking moderately has not only also shown that it can help prevent blood clotting and blood clotters like fibrinogen; it also can increase your HDL cholesterol levels, which is the good cholesterol. In addition to these wonderful attributes, alcohol consumption in moderation can help alleviate artery stress spasms, increase insulin sensitivities, while improving blood flow.
Not only is it a good thing for individuals to drink alcohol moderately, but many doctors use alcohol in treatments for such things as improving artery walls in addition to alcohol’s healing attributes.
Studies have shown that those who drink moderately tend to live longer and healthier lives, as opposed to those who remain abstinent or are heavy drinkers, after reviewing the results. Also, tests have shown that those who drink alcohol moderately also help prevent heart attacks and/or the survivability of a heart attack. This also demonstrated that those moderate drinkers who did have a heart attack were less likely to have another heart attack.
In addition to heart health alone, alcohol has the ability to prevent strokes. However, it is important to remember that this is in reference to a moderate amount of alcohol regularly. Individuals who drink more than a moderate amount, such as heavy drinkers, do raise the bar and provide themselves with a higher risk of stroke as well as many other health risks.
There are many more benefits to moderate consumption of alcohol, as we discuss in other articles as well as at The Hangover Network website. But, as for alcohol and our cardiovascular health, it seems that alcohol is indeed becoming more and more realized as a preventative measure against many different types of diseases and conditions versus an alcohol free or heavy alcohol consumption lifestyle. Please remember that these statements are based on tests done by organizations and colleges such as Harvard Medical, The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), World Health Organization, and The American Heart Association.
Kansieo.com
What You Deserve to Know About Heart Health!
Steven A Johnson asked:
The average human heart will beat approximately 2.5 billion times during a 66 year lifespan, which is roughly 72 beats per minute! It is the most important muscle in the body, so it is vital for your health to keep it functioning at its best! Heart disease is the number one cause of death among Americans, and obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase the risk of developing hearth disease!
The heart functions in four parts, and is referred to as a four-chambered heart in warm blooded animals. The right side of the heart serves to collect de-oxygenated (carbon-dioxide rich) blood in the right atrium from the body. Blood leaves the right atrium and flows into the right ventricle where it is pumped into the lungs, leaving behind carbon-dioxide and picking up oxygen. The left side of the heart then collects the oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium, from there the oxygen rich blood moves into the left ventricle which pumps it out to the body.
Changing bad lifestyle habits can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks! It is important to be aware of how many calories that you take in, and use up at least that amount daily. Try not to eat more calories than you know you can burn up everyday. Performing physical activity for at least thirty minutes on most days of the week, or everyday, can help you maintain a healthy weight. The thirty minutes a day can be broken down into three ten minute sessions throughout the day as well!
Vegetables and fruits are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber! By eating a variety of fruits and vegetables instead of junk food, you can control your weight and maintain healthy blood pressure. Another source of fiber is un-refined whole grain foods, they help maintain blood cholesterol and make you feel full after eating less! It is good habit to try and eat fish twice a week. Recent studies have shown that oily fish such as salmon, trout and herring contain omega 3 fatty acids, which can help to lower the risk of death from coronary artery disease.
Some recommendations for a healthy eating pattern are:
Eating meats and poultry without the skin and prepare them without adding saturated and trans fats.
Choose low fat and fat free dairy products.
To reduce the amount of trans fat in your diet cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils
Try to reduce cholesterol intake by eating less than 300 milligrams each day.
Cut back on foods and beverages with added sugars.
Reduce your salt intake; try to eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day.
Drink alcohol in moderation- one drink daily for women, two drinks daily for men.
Clear Heart Advanced Cardio Therapy is a doctor formulated supplement that offers support for optimal heart health. This can be taken in conjuction with healthy diet and exercise habits to prevent problems such as heart disease, high cholesterol and heart attacks. Clear Heart Advanced Cardio Therapy is reported to diminish and eliminate chronic, painful, and even deadly heart associated health problems. For more information, or to purchase this product, please visit our website at: http://www.alternative-health-supplements.com/clear-heart.htm
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The average human heart will beat approximately 2.5 billion times during a 66 year lifespan, which is roughly 72 beats per minute! It is the most important muscle in the body, so it is vital for your health to keep it functioning at its best! Heart disease is the number one cause of death among Americans, and obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase the risk of developing hearth disease!
The heart functions in four parts, and is referred to as a four-chambered heart in warm blooded animals. The right side of the heart serves to collect de-oxygenated (carbon-dioxide rich) blood in the right atrium from the body. Blood leaves the right atrium and flows into the right ventricle where it is pumped into the lungs, leaving behind carbon-dioxide and picking up oxygen. The left side of the heart then collects the oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium, from there the oxygen rich blood moves into the left ventricle which pumps it out to the body.
Changing bad lifestyle habits can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks! It is important to be aware of how many calories that you take in, and use up at least that amount daily. Try not to eat more calories than you know you can burn up everyday. Performing physical activity for at least thirty minutes on most days of the week, or everyday, can help you maintain a healthy weight. The thirty minutes a day can be broken down into three ten minute sessions throughout the day as well!
Vegetables and fruits are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber! By eating a variety of fruits and vegetables instead of junk food, you can control your weight and maintain healthy blood pressure. Another source of fiber is un-refined whole grain foods, they help maintain blood cholesterol and make you feel full after eating less! It is good habit to try and eat fish twice a week. Recent studies have shown that oily fish such as salmon, trout and herring contain omega 3 fatty acids, which can help to lower the risk of death from coronary artery disease.
Some recommendations for a healthy eating pattern are:
Eating meats and poultry without the skin and prepare them without adding saturated and trans fats.
Choose low fat and fat free dairy products.
To reduce the amount of trans fat in your diet cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils
Try to reduce cholesterol intake by eating less than 300 milligrams each day.
Cut back on foods and beverages with added sugars.
Reduce your salt intake; try to eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day.
Drink alcohol in moderation- one drink daily for women, two drinks daily for men.
Clear Heart Advanced Cardio Therapy is a doctor formulated supplement that offers support for optimal heart health. This can be taken in conjuction with healthy diet and exercise habits to prevent problems such as heart disease, high cholesterol and heart attacks. Clear Heart Advanced Cardio Therapy is reported to diminish and eliminate chronic, painful, and even deadly heart associated health problems. For more information, or to purchase this product, please visit our website at: http://www.alternative-health-supplements.com/clear-heart.htm
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Fish and Heart Health – Adding Fish to Your Diet Helps Reduce Heart Disease
Lisa Jenkins asked:
Fish has achieved health food status due to research that shows eating fish lowers the risk of heart disease. Public health agencies have recommended eating fish for several years. But new research continues to support additional links between diets that include fish and various measures of heart health.
While fish is a healthy source of lean protein, it is the omega-3 fatty acid content of fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon and tuna that is thought to help protect against heart disease. The key to lowering your risk of heart disease with fish seems to be eating enough fish each week to raise your blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
A recent study compared the omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of Japanese men living in Japan, Japanese men living in the U.S. and American men living in the U.S. Japanese men living in Japan had twice the blood level of omega-3 fatty acids and the lowest rate of heart disease as the other two groups. In addition, higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the Japanese men improved at least one measure of atherosclerosis. This and other studies provide ample evidence that it may be omega-3 fatty acids from fish and seafood that are keeping the rates of heart disease in Japan so low compared with other countries.
The omega-3 fatty acids are richest in fish with the most fat. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people eat fish at least two times per week and to include fish like salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, lake trout, herring and sardines. These fatty fish are rich in two of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids associated with lower rates of heart disease.
There are many ways that omega-3 fatty acids might help the heart. They are thought to reduce platelet aggregation and make the blood thinner, reduce triglyceride levels, and prevent arrhythmia. Supplementing the diet with fish or fish oil seems to greatly reduce the chances of having a heart attack. Supplementation is even being considered as a common intervention for people at a very high risk of having a heart attack.
But eating other types of fish can be heart healthy as well. Fish is low in saturated fat and eating fish can help keep levels of dietary saturated fat low and lower your risk of heart disease. And while fatty fish are highest in omega-3 fats, most fish have some of the heart these heart healthy fats. The levels of omega-3 fatty acids also vary with the diet fed to the fish. So, farm raised fish can have a very different fatty acid profile than wild fish of the same species. Because of this variability, a good approach is to eat a different types of fish and to consistently include fatty fish.
A new study compared fatty fish and lean fish for their affects on heart disease risk. While heart disease patients who were placed on a diet that included fatty fish several times per week had higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids at the end of the study, blood pressure actually decreased in the patients who ate lean fish several times per week. The effect of eating fish on blood pressure may be due to some other component of fish than omega-3 fatty acids.
What’s the best way to gain the heart health benefit of omega-3 fatty acids from fish? Eating fatty fish is the best way. Many research studies support the heart health benefit of eating fish. But if you can’t eat fish, don’t like fish, or can’t eat enough to meet recommendations, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil is a good alternative. Intervention studies have proven some benefit of taking these supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease. Talk with your health care provider if you are considering taking a dietary supplement.
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Fish has achieved health food status due to research that shows eating fish lowers the risk of heart disease. Public health agencies have recommended eating fish for several years. But new research continues to support additional links between diets that include fish and various measures of heart health.
While fish is a healthy source of lean protein, it is the omega-3 fatty acid content of fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon and tuna that is thought to help protect against heart disease. The key to lowering your risk of heart disease with fish seems to be eating enough fish each week to raise your blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
A recent study compared the omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of Japanese men living in Japan, Japanese men living in the U.S. and American men living in the U.S. Japanese men living in Japan had twice the blood level of omega-3 fatty acids and the lowest rate of heart disease as the other two groups. In addition, higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the Japanese men improved at least one measure of atherosclerosis. This and other studies provide ample evidence that it may be omega-3 fatty acids from fish and seafood that are keeping the rates of heart disease in Japan so low compared with other countries.
The omega-3 fatty acids are richest in fish with the most fat. The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people eat fish at least two times per week and to include fish like salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, lake trout, herring and sardines. These fatty fish are rich in two of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids associated with lower rates of heart disease.
There are many ways that omega-3 fatty acids might help the heart. They are thought to reduce platelet aggregation and make the blood thinner, reduce triglyceride levels, and prevent arrhythmia. Supplementing the diet with fish or fish oil seems to greatly reduce the chances of having a heart attack. Supplementation is even being considered as a common intervention for people at a very high risk of having a heart attack.
But eating other types of fish can be heart healthy as well. Fish is low in saturated fat and eating fish can help keep levels of dietary saturated fat low and lower your risk of heart disease. And while fatty fish are highest in omega-3 fats, most fish have some of the heart these heart healthy fats. The levels of omega-3 fatty acids also vary with the diet fed to the fish. So, farm raised fish can have a very different fatty acid profile than wild fish of the same species. Because of this variability, a good approach is to eat a different types of fish and to consistently include fatty fish.
A new study compared fatty fish and lean fish for their affects on heart disease risk. While heart disease patients who were placed on a diet that included fatty fish several times per week had higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids at the end of the study, blood pressure actually decreased in the patients who ate lean fish several times per week. The effect of eating fish on blood pressure may be due to some other component of fish than omega-3 fatty acids.
What’s the best way to gain the heart health benefit of omega-3 fatty acids from fish? Eating fatty fish is the best way. Many research studies support the heart health benefit of eating fish. But if you can’t eat fish, don’t like fish, or can’t eat enough to meet recommendations, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil is a good alternative. Intervention studies have proven some benefit of taking these supplements to reduce the risk of heart disease. Talk with your health care provider if you are considering taking a dietary supplement.
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