Natural Heart Health Supplements

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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Heart Health and Wellness Wealth

Dee Overly asked:


Soy and soybeans appear to have taken the modern world by storm. Every day new products emerge from the grocery store promoting soy-based products for their healthful benefits. The advantages of soy products can’t be emphasized enough because they are much more than just another supplement. Soy has been proven by the FDA to assist in combating heart disease, the number one killer in America.

As a matter of fact, the Food and Drug Administration accepted and acknowledged soy for lowering cholesterol prior to the turn of the twenty-first century. Their claim, in particular, was that a small addition of the soy protein to the consumer diet, at least 25 grams, could reduce the risk of heart disease.

Soybeans are legumes that are being grown more widely each year in our country. This mass production means that anyone can find soy or soy-based products that are affordable and flavorful.

Protein is not the only reason for adding soy to your diet. Soybeans also supply a number of vital vitamins and nutrients such as calcium, iron, fiber, and even a few B-vitamins. There are also soy foods containing potassium and foliate. Studies have found that people who regularly consume soy have a lower risk for several forms of cancer.

The cancer combatants are attributed to several components of soy, for example, isoflavones, that prevents the hormone estrogen from entering cells. This can help prevent ovarian and ****** cancers. Protease inhibitors suppress cell growth. Phytoesterol prevents cell growth in the colon, which may prevent colon cancer.

Not only can soy be used as a preventative measure, it can be used as a supplement in specialized diets. Patients with diabetes and kidney disease have found soy to be a healthful addition to their diets that does not impact their health issues.

Most of the soy-based products are naturally low in trans- and saturated fats. To boost this assurance, the American Heart Association has also promoted soy as a food that can naturally help your heart.

Heart disease is not the only disease or illness that soy can combat. Researchers are currently stating soy can also lower cancer risks associated with the prostate, colon, and ******. There is even evidence that soy can help reduce risks for osteoporosis and relieve the “hot flashes” associated with menopause.

Consumers interested in enriching their diets with soy products have never had a better time to do so. Soy is used in more products today than ever before. Those with heart disease will find it easy to locate a product to suit their tastes and needs.

Soy flour, milk, soy grits, and even soy meats can be found throughout grocery stores. It’s easier than ever to substitute healthful soy products for the more fatty foods. Many experts recommend simply replacing snack foods with those containing soy. Yogurt fans are encouraged to substitute soy yogurt to get the extra protein in their diet.

Ice cream lovers will be delighted to see that soy can even be found in frozen desserts that contain nearly no fat at all. Edamame are sweet green soybeans that can be found in your grocer’s freezer section. Tofu, or bean curd, is made of soy and resembles “cottage cheese” consistency. By itself, tofu has no flavor, but will assume the flavor with which it is cooked or mixed.

Incorporating soy into your diet is not difficult. It is something that your heart will thank you for.



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Improving Your Heart Health, One Step at a Time

Joseph Delainey asked:


Without a healthy heart, every day is nerve racking. You worry each time you feel the slightest discomfort that today is the day your heart will give out. Instead of worrying your days away, take positive steps to improve your odds.

The first thing you can do to improve your heart health is to stop smoking. Any treatment for heart disease will be undone by the damage to your health caused by cigarettes. Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease by increasing your blood pressure and your blood’s ability to clot.

Smoking also prevents you from participating in physical activity, further adding to your chances for heart disease. In America, smoking accounts for nearly 444,000 of the country’s annual 2.4 million deaths, according to the American Heart Association.

Other risk factors for heart disease include diabetes, high blood cholesterol, obesity and genetic predisposition. You can’t control your genetic makeup, but you most certainly can have a positive effect on your weight. A reduction in your overall weight will significantly improve your heart health and potentially keep you from having to suffer through surgery, hospitalization and treatment for heart disease.

Instead of being dependent on blood pressure pills and cholesterol medication for the rest of your life, try to use foresight in your daily routine. If you don’t want to die of a heart attack before your daughter gets married or your grandchild is born, you’re going to have to drastically change your lifestyle.

This may sound overwhelming at first. After years of eating cheeseburgers, you can’t imagine being the guy that orders a salad at lunch. Well, every great accomplishment starts with a first step. Try simple steps to improve your heart health. Replace one bad habit a week with one good habit.

Instead of having potato chips for a snack while you’re watching television at night, cut up two small bananas and a cup of strawberries into slices. Enjoy the flavor of these fruits and their heart health benefits. Potassium has been proven to lower your risk of heart disease, and these foods are cholesterol free.

The following week, step out and replace another bad habit with a healthy one. Instead of watching a little bit of television after dinner, get out and walk around the block. Start off simple. The fresh air and the sunshine will lift your spirits, and the simple act of walking improves your heart health.

Then, step up your routine a single notch. If on Monday you walked around the block once, aim to go for an extra block on Wednesday. Before you know it, you’ll be looking forward to your walks and going a distance you never imagined possible. Exercise doesn’t have to mean killing yourself on a treadmill or lifting heavy weights at the gym. It simply means you need to increase your activity level a little bit at a time to improve your overall heart health.

The only person that can improve your current and future health is you. Your heart isn’t invincible. Years of punishing it with cigarettes, high cholesterol foods, a lack of exercise and other risky behaviors will eventually catch up with you. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Get out, get active, change your habits and get a new lease on life with a brand new set of heart healthy habits.



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Healthy Chocolate and Heart Health

Abbas Shareef asked:


By: Chris Robertson

More Americans die each year from heart disease than any other cause, it is the number one killer disease in the US and parts of Europe. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 2,500 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 35 seconds.

There is a surprising new source of heart support, and more and more medical studies are showing that the incredible effect of raw, cold processed cacao beans, the beans used in healthy chocolate, give tremendous support to the cardiovascular system in various ways.

What Can Cocoa Do For My Heart?

A 2006 study from a joint team of researchers from the University of California-Davis and the University of Dusseldorf in Germany ascertained that the compound epicatechin found in cocoa is directly linked to improved circulation and other hallmarks of cardiovascular function. The researchers explained that the relaxation response observed in the blood vessels of the subjects was mediated by nitric oxide (NO), a key signal released by the inner lining of blood vessels (the endothelium). Because the vessels are able to relax and become less stiff, they are less susceptible to clotting, blockage and risk of high blood pressure. (1)

Cesar G. Fraga of the University of Buenos Aires recently demonstrated a rise of chocolate-derived procyanidins in the blood of men and women who had just eaten cocoa-based foods. His team found that blood sampled two hours after cocoa consumption protected its circulating lipids from oxidation. The more chocolate they ate, the better the protection. (2)

Nutritionist Carl L. Keen of the University of California-Davis says that prostacyclins are naturally occurring compounds that inhibit platelet clotting, reduce risk of thrombosis and blood vessel constriction, and prevent the oxidation of LDL (the “bad” cholesterol), as well as its entry into the blood vessel walls, where it can result in inflammation. Keen’s study, published in a 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that the procyanidin and flavonol content of cocoa again demonstrated significant antioxidant properties and the ability to protect the heart and vascular system. (3)

If you have high blood pressure, a daily serving of flavonol-rich dark chocolate might lower your blood pressure, researchers report in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. (4) “Previous studies suggest flavonoid-rich foods – including fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, and chocolate – might offer cardiovascular benefits, but this is one of the first clinical trials to look specifically at dark chocolate’s effect on lowering blood pressure among people with hypertension,” said one of the authors of the study. The findings also prompted the researchers to recommend that flavonoid-rich foods should be part of an overall healthy diet, and dark chocolate should be part of that effort.

The More Cocoa, the Better

When it comes to the health benefits ascribed to chocolate, they’re almost exclusively related to the dark, bittersweet-tasting chocolate and to products with a cocoa content of 60% or more. Because healthy polyphenols are found in the cocoa bean but not in the milk, cream, sugar, waxes, fillers, fats and preservatives that are often added to chocolate, the darker the chocolate the better. It’s also important to preserve chocolate’s antioxidant properties and avoid “Dutch process” and alkalinization. Similarly, because heat can destroy cocoa’s polyphenols, choose cocoa beans that have been cold-pressed.

Beyond those caveats, enjoy chocolate and keep your heart healthy!

(1) Schroeter H, et al. – Epicatechin mediates beneficial effects of flavanol rich cocoa on vascular function in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006 Jan 24;103(4):1024-9

(2) Engler M, et al.Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. J AM Coll Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):197-204

(3) Keen CL et al. Cocoa antioxidants and cardiovascular health. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jan;81(1Suppl):2985-303S

(4) Baba, S, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar;85(3):709-17

(Information herein is NOT intended as medical advice. No therapeutic or medical claims are either implied or made. DO NOT ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT, OR THE USE OF MEDICATIONS, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER. FDA regulations prohibit the use of therapeutic or medical claims in conjunction with the sale of any product not approved by the FDA.)

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Healthy Chocolate and Heart Health or Majon’s Health and Beauty directory.

www.MyChocolateHeaven.blogspot.com



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Fish Oil for Heart Health: Does it Work?

Michael Holman asked:


If you are like me, you have probably already heard people recommending fish oil for heart health. There are a lot of other health benefits also attributed to it. Is it really true? Or is it all just hype? Let’s find out.

Here’s the good news. Research has shown that it is in fact, good to take fish oil for heart health. Provided you take the right oil containing the right ingredients. But more on that later. First let’s see what this oil can do for our heart.

Omega 3 oil has been found to prevent Thrombosis. It does so by preventing the blood platelets from sticking together. When these platelets begin to clot, they block the arteries and restrict the flow of blood. This ultimately leads to heart attacks. Omega 3 also regulates the electrical system of our heart and helps in preventing any heart rhythm abnormalities.

Another way the oil helps the heart is by reducing the Triglycerides present in the blood. Triglycerides are fats closely related to cholesterol. They are also responsible for blocking arteries and causing heart attacks.

As a validation of fish oil heart benefits, even the American Heart Association recommends taking it for the heart.

So the next question is what kind of oil to take?

Most of the benefits of the oil can be attributed to the DHA Omega 3 fats present in it. So you need to look for an oil rich in DHA, along with EPA added in for good measure. Together, these two essential fats account for most of the health benefits of Omega 3 oils.

The Hoki fish found in New Zealand is one of the best sources of DHA and EPA. It is found in abundance near the southern coast of New Zealand, which is a pristine area free from industrial pollution. This means the Hoki found there doesn’t contain any contaminants in it.

There can still be some natural pollutants present in the fish too. So if you take fish oil for heart, you need to make sure it has been properly refined to remove all natural and industrial pollutants. Molecular Distillation is the process that can do this effectively. Check if your oil has undergone this refining process.

One more thing to note is, the DHA content in the oil should be more than the EPA content. The reason for this is, latest research has shown that DHA is much more beneficial to our health than EPA. Also, our body can easily convert DHA into EPA by a simple process, if needed. But the reverse process is not possible. So we have to get all our DHA from an external source like fish oil only.

In conclusion, taking fish oil for heart is one of the best ways to keep our heart fit and free from diseases. So go now and find out a good oil to keep your heart running in prime condition!



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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

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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