Anti Atherosclerosis Diet and Lifestyle - Useful Foods, Nutrition and Habits

by Webmaster, All4NaturalHealth.com

A good anti atherosclerosis diet can help not just with the prevention of the disease, but also in the reversal of the condition.

Note that the tips and suggestions given in this regard are very much similar to dietary advice for preventing and healing many other chronic and degenerative ailments, as well as for the overall promotion of good health. Nutrition, after all, is one of the core foundations of good health and vitality.

First and foremost, let me touch on the foods and substances to avoid. Perhaps the most important substances to avoid, or at the very least drastically cut down on, are the saturated fats found mainly in meat and dairy products; trans fats, which are found in hydrogenated oils, margarine and some other processed foods; as well as cholesterol, which are found in high amounts in meats and eggs. These are the substances which do the biggest job of clogging up your arteries and blood vessels.

In general, a good atherosclerosis diet should not make one overweight or obese, as that is a risk factor for the disease as well as a host of other dangerous health conditions.

Eat good amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially raw and organic ones. Consume whole foods, such as whole grains and beans, as supposed to refined foods, which should be avoided as far as possible. White flour, white sugar and refined grains are classic examples of unhealthy refined foods. Sugary snacks and beverages are also a no-no.

Watch your salt intake, too, in particular of refined salt, as excessive consumption of that is also a risk factor for heart problems.

Dietary fiber has been linked with a reduced risk of heart disease and issues. They also help control cholesterol levels. Besides whole grains, fruits and vegetables, good sources of fiber include psyllium as well as beans.

One other thing which you may want to take note of is to make sure that you are consuming sufficient amounts of selenium in your diet.

What are some powerful healing foods which you can include into your anti atherosclerosis diet?

Omega 3 fatty acids certainly fall into that category, as they have been proven to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. With regard to atherosclerosis, their ability to thin the blood as well as to lower levels of homocysteine, another risk factor for the disease, also help. Their positive impact extends to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, too. In fact, omega 3 fatty acids contribute a great deal to the promotion of overall good health, as well as to the alleviation of numerous health conditions.

Omega 3 fatty acids are healthy fats, and should be eaten in abundance, replacing the bad fats which we had earlier mentioned. Good sources of these fatty acids include cold water oily fish, fish oil, and flaxseed oil.

Another potent addition to your anti atherosclerosis diet, or any healthful diet for that matter, is garlic. On many levels, garlic promotes heart health - it can lower blood pressure, regulate cholesterol levels, thin the blood thereby lowering chances of coagulation, and protect against free radicals. It seems to directly prevent atherosclerosis as well as improve artery health, too.

Garlic has further health benefits, such as its ability to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, as well as its anti cancer properties. For maximum effect, consume some raw and organic garlic daily - a minimum of three large cloves a day is a decent dose.

Lifestyle Factors

While on the topic of an anti atherosclerosis diet, it would be apt to mention lifestyle factors, too. Besides maintaining healthy weight, other very important factors are the avoidance of cigarette smoking and the regular undertaking of physical activity, especially aerobic exercise. These steps, of course, are critical for healing from any disease, and for good health in general.

Learning to deal with your anger is also important, as some preliminary studies have actually linked aggressive responses to coronary atherosclerosis.

For information on what herbs and supplements you could add to your anti atherosclerosis diet to make it even more effective, read the other related atherosclerosis pages.

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Some Related Atherosclerosis Pages

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