12 top food choices for a healthy heart

Hi ATS.

come across an interesting article about foods that are good for your heart.
afterall it's one of the most vital organs, it's what keeps you going.

When it comes to eating for good health, choosing foods for heart health should be at the top of the list. The heart is the organ that literally keeps us going - delivering nutrients, oxygen and disease fighters throughout the body. Cardiovascular disease also happens to be the leading cause of death in the U.S., ranking just ahead of cancer.

so it's a big deal and not just in the US.

a lot of western, modernized (read: fatfood munching) countries share this problem.

There are several foods which can help give us a healthy heart and cardiovascular system - especially if they are chosen in their healthiest whole food forms. Instead of processed foods found on grocers' shelves, choose fresh whole foods which you can eat with little or no processing and cooking. Certified organic whole foods are the best choice of all.

this is pretty obvious and straightforward.

so lets get to the list.

#1 - Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne has been called "the king of herbs" for good reason, and that is especially true when it comes to heart health. It is loaded with antioxidants and other valuable compounds which help protect the heart and arteries.

#2 - Spinach

yuk.. certainly NOT my favorite

Popeye's favorite vegetable is a delicious, nutritious fighting machine when it comes to heart health. Included among the many heart-healthy compounds in spinach are: potassium, folate, calcium, betaine, antioxidant carotenoid lutein and nitrate. Spinach is also one of only two plant sources of co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which is vital for heart and muscle health.

#3 - Blueberries

Blueberries are one of our most powerful disease-fighting foods. They get their dark blue color from the powerful antioxidant anthocyanins and they are packed with heart-healthy fiber and vitamin C

#4 - Salmon

This cold-water fish is packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and is also a great source of protein. You can also get plenty of omega-3s from pollock, tuna, herring, mackerel and swordfish.

#5 - Legumes

Legumes, including beans, are full of protein, are virtually fat-free and are loaded with fiber, iron, calcium and potassium.

#6 - Nuts

Nuts are a great source of healthful proteins, vitamins, minerals and monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats raise good cholesterol levels and escorts bad cholesterol to the liver, where it's filtered from your body.

#7 - Oats

Grandma referred to fiber as "roughage" and we need plenty of it each day. Oats are a good way to get it. Oats are a great source of fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal topped with blueberries gives you a super heart-healthy breakfast.

#8 - Broccoli

This green super-veggie gives you vitamins C and E, calcium, folate, fiber and beta-carotene. Along with spinach, broccoli is a rare natural source of CoQ10. Broccoli is healthiest if eaten raw or lightly steamed.

#9 - Asparagus

Asparagus is another supremely healthy vegetable. It contains significant amounts of folic acid, vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene. Try lightly steaming asparagus in butter and lemon juice along with minced garlic and perhaps a touch of sea salt.

#10 - Flaxseed

Flaxseed has loads of fiber, omega-3s and other beneficial nutrients. Not normally eaten by itself, flaxseed goes great as a salad topper and in muffins, cereal and cookies.

#11 - Sweet Potatoe

Sweet potatoes are delicious (especially when mashed) and are a great source of beta-carotene, fiber and vitamins A, C and E.

#12 - Garlic

Garlic helps maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels and helps prevent atherosclerosis. Garlic is healthiest when fresh or freshly crushed, as well as in fermented form and garlic oil.

About the author: Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally.

aah..

just finished my Aspartame laced diet coke, ate two dingdongs.

now i'm off to bed but not before i brush my teeth with fluoride toothpaste and pop a sleeping pill or two.



source

I'm sorry, but what is wrong with fluoride in toothpaste?
You don't swallow toothpaste, do you?

good food right there well every thing but the flaxseed. never tried it and dont know if i want to. only problem to eating better food for you is trying to get away from the bad fast food that is so common every where you go.

Originally posted by ssupp
I'm sorry, but what is wrong with fluoride in toothpaste?
You don't swallow toothpaste, do you?

i was just making a joke.

but still some of that fluoride gets absorbed under your tongue.

Originally posted by ssupp
I'm sorry, but what is wrong with fluoride in toothpaste?
You don't swallow toothpaste, do you?

You just highlighted the issue. Toothpaste contains fairly small amounts of fluoride which we are told to not swallow yet most people consume much more in drinking water. Here is a link to MSDS information about all types of fluoride found in water. Fluoride types and MSDS


Great thread OP. Everyone could use more of these things in their diet. Cayenne has amazing healing and anti inflammatory properties in addition to being a powerful antioxidant. Hemp seed is another great source of Omega 3,6,9 which is great for heart health as well.

Originally posted by NISMOALTI
good food right there well every thing but the flaxseed. never tried it and dont know if i want to. only problem to eating better food for you is trying to get away from the bad fast food that is so common every where you go.

Flax seed may not be tasty but it definitely is a "good" food. If you grind them up and add them to existing recipes there is virtually no difference in flavor and a slight difference in texture. They can also be soaked and added to smoothies or any drink.

Chia seeds are another great source of nutrition and can be used in the same way.

reply to post by kn0wh0w


I have everything listed with the exception of Sweet Potatoes, which I will only eat if I am starving. Cant stand them.

I have totally cut out Red Meat, Bacon and Poultry from my diet but nowadays, it's more like a treat that I give myself from time to team.

reply to post by kn0wh0w


I eat all of those foods...it makes me feel good that I am on the right track.

So after eating a couple McDoubles with Big Mac sauce and feeling like I want to puke, this list makes me feel even more horrible.

I would love to have the willpower to stick to foods that are simply fuel for the body.

I've had this knowledge for a long dam time and still I choose to go to the local drive thru.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go off and eat a caramel chocolate heart.

It's not a thread about healthy heart if you didn't mention the ONION.
Flaxseed oil is btw the richiest and cheapest source of omega 3 and in combination with sulfur and (in) proteins like curd it's considered to be one of the best cures for cancer.
Check: lightsv.org...