Even the thought of being diagnosed with cancer give people chills. However, what many aren’t aware of is that cancer isn’t number one reason for the number of deaths in the States and many other countries.
In fact, it is heart disease that has been the leading cause of death in the United States since 1950.
Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use.
Diagnosing heart issues isn’t always easy. Doctors may be able to see plaque or calcification of the arteries, but in most cases they cannot.
Coronary heart disease (CHD), the most common issue people face, is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits (atheroma) on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries).
The build-up of these atheroma makes the arteries narrower, restricting the flow of blood to the heart muscle. This process is called atherosclerosis.
Issues with the heart are many times caused by the consumption of certain foods, so this is the list of what you should avoid and what you should include in your diet.
Processed Sugar can raise blood pressure as well as create inflammation in the body which as a result makes the heart work harder. Sugar is best to be consumed in the form of fruits and natural carbohydrates. Avoid packaged and processed sugary foods or drinks whenever you can.
Processed Salt contains sodium, a mineral that plays a role in the healthy function of nerves and muscles and helps keep your body’s fluid levels in proper balance. However, too much sodium can cause fluid retention, which can increase blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke and heart failure.
Too much Calcium can trigger the body to store this mineral in a wrong way and unhealthy places. Unhealthy calcium storage appears in the form of bone spurs, arthritis, and worse, having calcium and plaque build up in your arteries. This can cause the heart to pump harder.
Lack of movement. Movement is critical for heart health and heart rate. To move continuously is an important thing. Walks are one of the best things you can do for heart health.
Low Nitric Oxide Levels – Healthy levels of nitric oxide support the micro-circulation in the body which helps blood flow better and for it to get to the difficult to reach places in the body. When the blood transports better the nutrients within the blood get to where they need to also.
Levels of nitric oxide can be elevated through foods such as leafy greens, pomegranate, cacao (chocolate), beets, garlic, citrus fruits and watermelon.
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