Heart Friendly Foods

Heart disease results when plaque builds up inside the arterial walls, which causes a partial or complete obstruction of blood flow. This reduces flow of blood to heart and may result in angina. Angina is a sensation of discomfort, pain, burning or pressure, generally felt in the chest area.

Angina may be the first indication of heart disease. But many people with heart disease often get no warning signals, until they suffer a full heart attack. Chest pain should not been ignored, even when it is not permanent.

During a heart attack, the supply of oxygen to heart is cut off, resulting in tissue death for a part of the heart muscle.

There are certain foods that lower cholesterol and thus the risk of heart disease. The following heart friendly foods are important for the health of your heart.

  • Apples: Drinking 12 ounces of apple juice or eating two whole apples a day is beneficial. Research has shown that phytochemicals in apples could help cut the risk of death from heart disease or stroke in half.

  • Onions: Eating half a raw onion a day raises HDL (good) cholesterol by an average of 25 percent in most people.

  • Legumes/Beans: One serving of dried beans/legumes a day can reduce cholesterol by up to 10%. The fiber and other compounds present in legumes and beans can lower cholesterol, blood clotting and improve blood-vessel function. These are also a great source of folate, which keeps homocysteine levels (an indicator of heart trouble), in check.

  • Oats: Eating about one-cup of cooked oatmeal a day significantly decreases blood cholesterol levels. Oats contain beta-glucans, a soluble fibe that is responsible for cholesterol reduction.

  • Walnuts: Eating walnuts can reduce your total cholesterol level by 12% and LDL cholesterol level by 16%. Walnuts contain a type of fat called linolenic acid, which lowers cholesterol and prevents blood clots.

  • Olive Oil, Canola Oil: Of all cooking oils, olive oil contains the largest proportion (77%) of monounsaturated fat and has powerful antioxidants, which lowers LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL levels.

    • Copyright www.FatFreeKitchen.com

    [You have permission to publish this article in your web sites, ezines or electronic publication, as long as the piece is used in its entirety including the resource box, all hyperlinks (clickable) and references and copyright info.]

    -------------------------------------------------------

    This article has been written by http://www.fatfreekitchen.com.

    For more information, visit Lower cholesterol and Cholesterol .

    --------------------------------------------------------

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Buying Organic Produce: 6 Tips on How to Shop Wisely and Save Money

    Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More

    Foods Can Lower Cholesterol and C-reactive Protein

    If you have high cholesterol, the American Heart Association's low-cholesterol,... Read More

    Good Fats and Bad Fats -- Whats The Difference?

    As a low carb dieter, your diet is undoubtedly high... Read More

    Beginning an Alkaline Diet: The Basic Principles - Start Alkalizing Today!

    Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More

    Summer Sun Cures

    With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More

    Calorie Deficit

    I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More

    Unchaining Yourself from an Unhealthy Food Addiction

    The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from... Read More

    5 Secrets of Reading Food Labels Revealed

    Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More

    How to Help Your Picky Eater

    One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More

    Lawsuits on Foods and Diets

    The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More

    Focus On Fiber: How Much Is Enough?

    Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More

    What Is an Essential Fat?

    You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More

    Minimum Health or Maximum Health? That is the Question!

    Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More

    Acid and Digestive Disorders: Breaking the Vicious Circle

    THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More

    Dietary Sources of Vitamins and Minerals

    Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More

    You Are What You Eat

    You really are what you eat. You are also very... Read More

    Fruits for Summer: Summer Skin Care

    Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More

    Omega 3 Fatty Acids: What are They, Really?

    "The physician who knows only medicine, knows not even medicine."... Read More

    7 Things To Your Health

    Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More

    Natural Foods Defined

    With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More

    Introduction to Detox Diets

    Detoxifying the body has become an apparent key preventative measure... Read More

    Healing Power of 8 Sugars: An Amazing Breakthrough in Nutrition

    "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More

    Fibromyalgia: How Simple Sugars Turned Fatigue into Energy

    Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn't even spell fibromyalgia.Now she... Read More

    The History of the Acai Berry

    The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More

    Sports Nutrition Made Simple

    Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More

    Fish Oil

    The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More

    The New Biology of Health ? the Way to Perpetual Youth?

    Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More

    Fluoride Damages Childrens Bones, Study Says

    White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More

    How to Substitute Fat in Your Everyday Diet

    Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the... Read More

    How Good Is Your Health?

    It is a question we must ask ourselves continually if... Read More

    Water And Good Hydration

    The key to good hydration is drinking a lot of... Read More

    Hidden Poison

    Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More

    Compulsive Eating Alternative: Learning to Eat With Pleasure

    Do you allow pleasure from food? Are your senses throughly... Read More