Atherosclerosis is defined as an abnormal inflammatory process inside artery walls as the result of complex interactions among “bad” cholesterol (LDL), platelets, calcium, and inflammatory cells. When the LDL particles find their way into the artery walls, the artery will bend out of shape and get larger. But as more and more cholesterol accumulates the artery [...]
Yesterday I mentioned that omega-6 fatty acids were high in vegetable oils, particularly corn, sunflower, safflower, soy, and cottonseed oils. These are used in the processing of fast foods. So there is another reason to cut back on fast foods.The imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is believed to give rise to inflammatory responses. [...]
We hear the (health) words omega-3 and omega-6 a lot. But what are they? They are important to promoting heart health as well as many other health related problems.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential which means we can’t make them in our bodies. We have to get them from our diets. Both are polyunsaturated [...]
This morning I read in the newspaper that a local man had lost over 200 pounds. How did he do it? With exercise and cutting back on what he ate. At 370 pounds and five foot five inches tall at one point his girth (distance around his waist) was longer than his height. He said, [...]
Studies of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and its affect on lowering cholesterol just don’t appear in the scholarly journals. Few scientific studies if any have been completed and published. However, there are numerous testimonies on the web from people who swear by the ability of ACV to lower their cholesterol. Cider vinegar has been around [...]
Talk about snacks! When you have those hunger pangs between meals – do yourself a heart favor and blend a smoothie. These are my favorite snacks. Making them is up to your imagination. Whatever fruits you like and low-fat milk, or I use soy milk, can make a delicious heart-healthy almost sinful drink (it can be [...]
The heart-friendly diets I have written about are probably considered drastic. This is because they are the ‘ideal’ – they are extremely healthy and quite natural. Many people today are in a rush and might not have the time to stop and eat a heart-healthy diet – all the time. So the next best thing [...]
Today I had an enlightening experience. I was sitting in a room waiting for my number to be called so I could speak to one of Social Security’s finest. A young mother came into the room with her toddler in tow. In his hand was a paper container with a straw sticking out into his [...]
I’ve always loved blueberries and finding out that they contain a powerful antioxidant in their skins makes me even happier. Blueberries and red-skinned grapes contain pterostilbene (pronounced “tero-STILL-bean”) a phytochemical (a natural chemical in plants) which has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant as well as a cancer fighter. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals [...]
I was feeling my very best when I was running 10 k’s (6.2 miles). My weight was a few pounds above my high school weight. I was running 7 miles a day and enjoying every minute of it. I was in love with running – some call it a runner’s high. Was I adicted – [...]