From harmful preservatives with untold heath dangers, to hormones pumped into cows to grow them bigger and better, the health risks can be down every aisle of the supermarket.
The Healthy Living Blog is starting a series of posts to get you eating the way your body was meant to: naturally, healthfully and organic.
The last of our cholesterol fighting foods is at the top of everyone's list, a fave of adults and children alike: chocolate!
The flavonoid antioxidants help to keep blood platelets from sticking together and may keep your arteries unclogged.
Dark and bittersweet varieties have three times the antioxidants of milk chocolate, and white chocolate? Don’t bother; it rates zilch on the flavonoid scale.
Aim for an ounce a day; Dove dark chocolate Promises is the perfect high-flavonoid morsel to increase good cholesterol and prevent the bad kind from oxidizing.
Both iced and hot teas are loaded with antioxidants, which help to lower blood pressure and prevent LDL from oxidizing and building on artery walls. While store-bought iced teas are good for you, homemade is better, so if you can manage, start brewing!
Sit back, relax and enjoy at least one cup of tea ever day.
Walnuts, cashews and almonds are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats; they also have vitamin E, magnesium, copper, omega-3’s and phytochemicals, all essential for good heart health. Those who eat nuts regularly have less heart disease and illness than those who don't. Nuts are high in calories, so aim for only 2 tablespoons per day five times a week.
Two types have been found to do so, Take Control and Benecol. They work by blocking the absorption of cholesterol. The National Cholesterol Education Program and the American Heart Association recommend these margarines to lower cholesterol an average 10-14 percent.
They also block absorption of beta-carotene so be sure to compensate elsewhere.
Aim for three servings per day.
Spinach is the richest source of lutein, which helps lower cholesterol and guard against age-related muscular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
Researchers think that a 1/2 cup of lutein-rich foods a day can help to guard against heart attacks by helping artery walls resist cholesterol that causes clogging.
Lutein can be found in other leafy greens and egg yolks.
The ancients knew there was something special in this little bulb; in modern times garlic has been found to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure and protect against infections. It can also stop artery-clogging plaque at its earliest stage.
Chop up and toss on pizza, in soups, or on side dishes.
Aim for 2-4 cloves per day.
For a 1,800-calorie diet, 30g of monosaturated fat is recommended, which is what one avocado has.
Omega-3 fatty acids- found in salmon and other cold-water fish- helps lower LDL, raise HDL, and lower triglycerides. Salmon is also an excellent source of protein and is low in saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends at east two servings of fish per week. Good substitutions are white albacore tuna, rainbow trout, anchovies, herring, sardines and mackerel.
Although scientists don't fully understand how it works, studies have shown that is can have medical benefits. from reducing pain to helping chemotherapy-related nausea.
In the West, acupuncture points are places that stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue on the body. The stimulation seems to boost the body's natural painkillers and increase blood flow.
Kimchi: Korea
Kimchi is so popular in
This spicy condiment is loaded with vitamins A, B, C, and lactobacilli (the good bacteria in yogurt). It helps keep obesity at bay, aids digestions and may help to prevent cancer.
Add it to eggs or as a baked potato topper.
Lentils: India
It’s important to eat only all-natural, plain yogurt to get the most benefit. A drizzle of honey with nuts or mixed fresh fruit provides a sweet and healthy snack.
Have you been watching your Dr. Oz lately? Oprah and the good doctor have started a segment called Prescription America. Dr. Oz gives viewers an assignment for 14 days and you’re supposed to write in with the results. The first assignment was to give up soda for two entire weeks. Die hard soda addicts wrote into the show after the two weeks were up claiming they’d lost as much as 10lbs; that their skinned cleared up; a fog had seemed to lift from their brain and that they no longer felt bloated. If those aren’t good enough reasons to give up the drink, I don't know what is!
