beauty asked:


Grandma called it “roughage” and today we may call it Fiber, but it is the simple path to regularity, gastrointestinal health and so much more. It is now medically accepted that people who consume more Fiber have fewer weight problems, along with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and most cancers. And when it comes to heart health, Fiber is a real superstar.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough Fiber?

Beyond the effects on regularity and your digestive system, consuming insufficient amounts of Fiber can impact heart health. Foods that are dense with Fiber can have a moderating effect on carbohydrate absorption, which in turn helps balance blood sugar levels. 6 Fluctuating blood sugar can cause the body to fall into a vicious cycle of cholesterol synthesis. And, when the body produces more cholesterol than it needs, the coronary arteries suffer damage, which can lead to heart disease.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Omega 3 is probably the most researched nutritional supplement in the world. The astounding health benefits of omega-3 have been studied by some of the most prestigious institutions and their findings have been reported in literally thousands of the world’s best peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. The two most important omega 3 fatty acids that help support a healthy heart are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

The American Heart Association (AHA) affirms that Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the hearts of:

•Healthy people

•those at high risk of cardiovascular disease

•those who have cardiovascular disease.

Phytosterols

Phytosterols are cholesterol-like molecules found in all plant foods, with highest concentrations found in vegetable oils especially sea buckthorn oil, corn oil and soybean oil. As a food ingredient or additive, Phytosterols can reduce cholesterol levels by up to 15% according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition (June 2003). The FDA and the American Heart Association have declared that there is evidence that phytosterols may block the absorption of bad cholesterol in the intestines and therefore prevent it from entering the bloodstream.

The healthy heart cabbage diet or the “cabbage soup diet” is one of the fad diets that the American Heart Association and other public health organizations warn against. There are many reasons for these warnings, depending on which diet one is attempting to follow. The healthy heart cabbage diet has many flaws.

Drawbacks of the Cabbage Diet

The guidelines for the healthy heart cabbage diet begin with a recipe for cabbage soup. The ingredients include green onions, green peppers, diced tomatoes, celery, onion soup mix, bouillon cubes and a head of cabbage. The heart healthy benefits of cabbage soup by itself are questionable, at best.

If you are overweight, you could probably go without the fat for one day, but extremely low-fat diets are not filling, not advisable for permanent weight control and many of the organs, including the brain, need dietary fat to function effectively.

Whole Food Supplements

Public health organizations recommend 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day in a variety of colors. Each different color provides different flavonoids, some of which may prevent cancer, most of which are antioxidants and some that can reduce unhealthy levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.



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Rich Hawkins asked:


Let’s face it, many of us know that fish oil for heart health is a good thing, but did you realize just how effective it is and how many benefits it can bring to your life?

With heart foundations and even the government advising us to take a daily supplement, it’s obvious it can help us, but just how do they reduce our risk of heart disease and keep us healthy?

It is the power of the omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA that help fish oil for heart health be so effective. They stop the platelets in the blood from sticking together, helping to prevent a clot and improving the circulation. They also reduce the blood fats related to cholesterol to lower the blood pressure.

This is also called hypertension and known as the silent killer as we don’t know anything is wrong until it’s too late, and it is thought that the taking of a daily preventative quality DHA omega 3 supplement has saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

In addition, they help to strengthen the heart’s electrical system and thereby prevent any heart-rhythm abnormalities.

With the vast array of other benefits too like improved brain health and mental-well being, prevention of ****** and colon cancer and an improved immune system, fish oil for heart health is just one of many.

In order to select one that will deliver these benefits, here are some quick tips.

Ensure the supplement has as higher level of DHA compared to EPA as DHA is responsible for most of the benefits and most do not have much at all. I would recommend at least 250mg of DHA per tablet.

Next it is vital that it is pharmaceutical grade and has undergone molecular distillation to remove any harmful toxins like mercury, leaving only safe pure oil.

If you follow these tips you will be able to select a quality oil and start enjoying the many life saving benefits, including fish oil for heart health.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA fish oil supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.

 

 



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Darrell Miller asked:


The majorities of baby boomers are looking for a way to loose weight and lower their cholesterol. Both of these are two important factors in heart disease, which still remains the number one killer in the United States. The good news is that you can dodge heart disease through your food choices. Below are six foods that can help boost your heart health.

Many studies have proven the variety of health benefits given by fish, ranging from joint inflammation in arthritis sufferers to brain development in babies. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish support circulation and improve blood vessel function. Researchers have also determined that omega-3s can prevent heart-attack deaths as they stop the electrical disturbance that causes death and half of all heart attacks are due to these arrhythmias. Each week, you should eat one to two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish such as an Alaskan salmon, anchovies, herring or mackerel. By baking or poaching these fish at low heart you can help to preserve the omega-3s. For vegetarians, omega-3 rich flaxseeds can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, or salads. For those who don’t care for fish there are omega-3 oil supplements available as well.

Have you ever wondered why oatmeal is so good for you? In your body, this gluey beta-glucan, which is soluble fiber, binds to bile acids found in the intestines and stomach and excretes them as waste. In order to make more bile acids, the liver needs cholesterol and takes it from the blood. This results in lower blood cholesterol levels. You need 3 grams of soluble fiber each day to reduce your cholesterol by five percent. A cup and a half of cooked oatmeal is a good size serving that can be jazzed up in flavor with frozen berries, non-fat plain yogurt, almonds and much more.

High-glycemic foods like potatoes, white bread, and white rice should be avoided because you get a harmful burst of glucose and insulin that’s harmful immediately after eating them. These bursts tire out the pancreas in the long run and increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Research also shows that having high-glycemic foods at one meal will make you even hungrier and eat more at the next, which is why these foods are associated with weight gain. People with excess fat are much more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if there are no other risk factors. Because of this, focusing on true grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and barley and choosing them over refined grains as much as possible.

Nuts are important for their unsaturated fats and their ability to help lower cholesterol. Walnuts actually contain omega-3 fatty acids, while almonds boost calcium, helping the heart muscle to contract, and Brazil nuts have selenium, which is a heart-protective antioxidant. About one ounce each day of nuts is good for you, but they do have a lot of calories so make sure to go easy on them. If you have a nut allergy, topping you salad with olives is a good alternative, as they contain unsaturated fats.

Beans also contain soluble fiber like oatmeal which helps to reduce cholesterol and keep arteries clear. By choosing the protein from beans instead of meat, you can cut back on saturated fats which raise cholesterol. Eating beans four to five times a week is recommended, as they can be added to a lot of meals. If you don’t tolerate beans well, try adding kombu, a sea vegetable, to them to help break down the components that cause gas. Your body also does adapt to beans over time, so try building up your bean servings slowly. Food enzymes can help reduce gas as well so don’t forget to take your enzymes.

Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and other berries all have strong antioxidant properties that can help fight heart disease and are also low in calories and high in fiber. Eating two cups of fruit each day for general health is recommended, but you should eat as many berries as you can tolerate. Free radicals can break down cholesterol that is flowing in your blood and make them sticky so to deposit on the arterial walls of your blood vessels. Fight this with antioxidant rich foods to reduce cholesterol build up.

Eating healthy is one step in boosting heart health and overall cardiovascular health. Exercise is also important in keeping your body strong and vibrant so one can live a healthier longer life.



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Rich Hawkins asked:


The benefits of fish oil for heart health cannot be understated, and it is estimated that it saves hundreds of thousands of lives each year due to the power of its omega 3 fatty acids.

They can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by helping to prevent clots in the blood, improving circulation and lowering the build-up of bad or LDL cholesterol. Fish oil heart health research has also shown how it can strengthen the heart’s electrical system, helping to prevent heart rhythm abnormalities.

Much of the current fish oil for heart health research came about when scientists noticed the curious low incidence of any heart disease in Eskimos despite their high-fat diet. The fact was they were eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids!

Experts agree that to get the full impact from this oil, it is better to take a supplement as you would need to eat a lot of the right fish and due to the pollution today it is not advisable to eat too much.

Look for a supplement high in DHA and EPA omega-3, with DHA levels being by far the most important for the main benefits.  If possible it should be sourced from the purest waters like the Southern Ocean of New Zealand, said to have the most pristine water on earth.

Pharmaceutical-grade or molecularly distilled oil is essential to ensure that all of the impurities like mercury and arsenic have been safely removed and the fish is still in its pure or ester form for easy absorption.

When you consider the many benefits that this amazing substance has, fish oil for heart health is just one of the reasons to include it into your daily routine.

If you would like to learn more about the omega-3 supplements I personally take, please visit my website.

  



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Therese Samson asked:


Have you heard about the benefits of fish oil for your heart? Are you wondering whether you really need to take a supplement or eat more fish? Let me take a little of your time to tell you about how your heart can benefit, even if you don’t suffer from heart disease.

Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel contain essential fatty acids called omega 3s. The main omega 3 fatty acids are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). These are not readily produced by your body on its own so it’s necessary to get adequate amounts from either food or supplements.

Fish oil benefits for heart health have been shown through numerous clinical studies.

Blood triglycerides are a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease but many clinical studies have shown that omega 3s can lower these blood fats.

DHA has also been shown to increase the level of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol that is essential for good health) and reduce the level of LDL particles (the bad cholesterol).

Mild hypertension (high blood pressure) associated with cardiovascular disease can be reduced. Omega 3 fatty acids can also help to avoid blood clots by preventing platelets sticking together.

DHA can lower heart rates and prevent disturbances in your heart’s rhythm, which decreases the chances of a heart attack.

Finally, the essential fatty acids stimulate blood circulation and increase the breakdown of the compound involved in clots and scar formation. People suffering from conditions such as varicose veins and Raynaud’s disease can get relief from consuming more DHA and EPA.

The best sources of fish oil

Ideally, we would be able to get all the omega 3s we need by simply eating more fish. Unfortunately, this is not without risks. Many species are contaminated by toxins and heavy metals so the advantages of eating them could be outweighed by the dangers.

So what’s the alternative?

Supplements are an increasingly popular way to get the body’s essential fatty acids without the risks of contamination. The very best supplements will be made from species taken from areas where toxins are low or non-existent, such as the Southern Ocean.

You can get more information about the many other benefits of fish oil (such as its role in preventing brain disorders, skin problems and arthritis), as well as help with finding the best supplements, at my website.



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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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