What helps keep our heart's healthy?
A study mentioned in The Washington Post yesterday reveals that, although we know that vegetables and nuts are good and "starchy carbs" are bad, there are still a lot of questions regarding many other foods.
Overall, the study aimed to pull out strengths and highlight weaknesses of previous heart-health studies.
The thing to take away is to consider a more Mediterranean diet.
What's in a Mediterranean diet?
- Fruits/Veggies
- Healthy Fats - Olive and Canola Oil
- Tree Nuts (no more than a handful a day)
- Red Wine (check with physician)
- Very little Red Meat
- Fish
This diet focuses on keeping out the "bad" fats and cholesterol - not keeping fat all together out - so that a persons chances of blocked arteries is significantly decreased. Keeping bad fats out will also help with weight loss. Whole grains and foods with a high percentage of antioxidants contain less trans-fat, providing more health benefits.
Considering that Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over 40, switching to a more heart-healthy diet seems like a good plan.
Other factors that contribute to heart disease are:
- Diabetes.
- Smoking.
- High blood pressure.
- High blood cholesterol
- Obesity.
- Lack of exercise.
- Family history of heart disease.
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