GoodHealthMD.com

The Benefits of Eating for Your Heart and your Health

Your risks of heart disease are not just determined by your family history. Besides lifestyle risks such as smoking, lack of exercise, and high levels of stress, nutrition and diet play a part in heart disease, particularly cholesterol levels. To help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and regulate and maintain healthful cholesterol levels, limit saturated fat to no more than five percent of your daily caloric intake. Work to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids, especially from fish (wild Alaskan salmon is a good choice); minimize consumption of refined carbohydrates; and drink green tea regularly. In addition, regular consumption of soluble fiber, such as oat bran, fresh fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, and red and purple fruits can be beneficial, as can soy based foods and other legumes.