Cardiovascular illness and various heart problems are increasingly common, particularly in the West, where rising obesity levels are increasing the risk of serious heart conditions. For those with either a personal history or family history of heart conditions, as well as the obese, learning about which foods can help fight heart disease and cardiovascular-related illness, can make a significant impact upon physical health and well-being.
Heart Conditions and Cardiovascular Illness
The heart is one of the most important organs in the body, with heart conditions and cardiovascular illness posing a serious threat to health. While some heart problems have hereditary factors, lifestyle factors count for a lot. For example, a person who is obese/very overweight, smokes, drinks to excess, does not exercise, eats high fat foods and is under a great deal of stress is far more likely to end up suffering a heart attack than an individual who eats well, is of normal BMI, does not smoke, drinks a safe amount and takes regular exercise.
In Super Immunity Foods, Goulart (2009) identifies heart/cardiovascular conditions, to include the following:
- hypertension
- heart attack
- stroke
- coronary artery disease (CAD)
- high cholesterol
- angina
- atherosclerosis
- congestive heart failure
- arrhthymias
- varicose veins
- Raynaud's disease
Super Immunity Foods to Fight Heart Conditions
In addition to mainstream medical treatments for heart conditions, there are also a range of nutritional approaches to help reduce symptoms of cardiovascular illness and help maintain a healthy heart. Key super immunity foods to include in one's daily diet, as recommended by Goulart (2009), may include the following:
- oranges
- other citrus fruits
- flax seed
- onions
- garlic
- tomatoes
- olives
- olive oil
- sea vegetables
- tea
Healthy Heart Nutrition and Supplements – Omega-3, Evening Primrose Oil
Further foods and nutritional/herbal supplements helpful in fighting heart conditions and remaining healthy, identified by Brewer (2010) in The Essential Guide to Vitamins Mineral and Herbal Supplements, are as follows:
- fish and omega-3 fish oils
- rapeseed
- walnuts
- almonds
- macadamia nuts
- low salt, high-fibre diet
- spinach
- broccoli
- wholegrains
- kiwi fruit
- evening primrose oil
- folic acid
- antioxidants
- vitamin B6, B12 supplements
Therefore, it is clear that nutrition has a big part to play in helping protect the heart from a whole range of different cardiovascular conditions. It is well worth discussing nutritional approaches such as diet changes and supplements with the family doctor, who may be able to provide a referral to a specially trained nutritionist or practice dietitian.
As highlighted above, improved nutrition and nutritional supplements, such as evening primrose oil, omega-3 fish oils, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 can help fight many heart conditions. Key dietary changes, include less salt, nuts, broccoli, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, flax seed, tomatoes and wholegrains.
Sources:
Brewer, S. (2010) The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements London: Constable Robinson
Goulart, F. (2009) Super Immunity Foods New York: McGraw Hill
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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