8 SUREST WAYS TO CURE HEART DISEASE

    8 SUREST WAYS TO CURE HEART DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for the large proportion of mortality throughout the world. There are certain lifestyle factors which lead us to this deadly disease. Lack of proper diet, increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats will surely lead to heart disease. It causes deposition of fatty streaks on coronary arteries which leads to heart attack.

Certain other factors also play a significant role. These are heredity, advancing age, sex, obesity, smoking, chewing tobacco products, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, and high uric acid level. Diabetes a metabolic disorder affects heart, blood vessels and other vital organs. These factors can result in heart attack or stroke depending on the arteries affected.

symptoms of heart disease

1      IS CHOLESTEROL THAT DANGEROUS?

Cholesterol, which has been considered the main culprit for the heart disease. Is cholesterol that bad? Actually cholesterol is found in every cell of our body. It is very important for the proper growth and development of our bodies. It is required in the formation of certain hormones, vitamin D and cell walls.

So if our diet is deficient in cholesterol, still our liver will produce it to fulfill the needs of the body. When we eat healthy food and follow an appropriate lifestyle then our liver will produce it, according to the requirement of the body.

The problem arises when cholesterol gets oxidized by free radicals present in the body. If we are having more of junk food, refined food and processed food, our body will be having more of free radicals.

Unhealthy body with more free radicals will give a better chance to cholesterol in the blood to get oxidized, which will then result in formation of plaques in the arteries leading to heart problem. If the arteries of the brain are involved, then it will result in stroke.

There are two types of cholesterol i.e. LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein). These play a role in distributing vitamins and other substances to the cells.

LDL is made up more of fatty acids and less of protein. It distributes cholesterol to the cells and liver. That’s why it is oxidized by free radicals more easily. As more junk food in our diet will give more free radicals to the body. So avoid junk food.

HDL has less of fatty acids and more of protein. It transfers left out cholesterol to the liver and the cells which are in need of cholesterol. So it is called good cholesterol.

Correct ratio of both of these is very important to keep this deadly disease away. If there is high level of LDL and low level of HDL then it will surely result in heart disease.

To increase your HDL consume more antioxidant rich food i.e. fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, whole pulses, stop smoking, do exercise and control your stress.

2.  ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

Essential fatty acids are important for the normal growth and development of the body. These are not produced by the body. These are present in two forms- n-6 (linoleic acid) and n-3 (alpha linolenic acid).These are also called omega 6 fatty acid and omega 3 fatty acid.

We, Indians are habitually consuming more of n-6 acids. Our diet which is mainly consisting of cereals, pulses and vegetables is rich in n-6 fatty acids. Moreover we are using oils rich in n-6 fatty acids in cooking also (sunflower, corn and safflower oils)

We consume less of foods like almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, soyabean and green leafy vegetables which are rich in n-3 fatty acids.

3.   NASTY BLOOD CLOTS

It has been found out that blood clots are one of the leading detrimental factors resulting in heart disease, stroke and blood vessel damage.

The tendency of our blood platelets to clump together depend upon many factors like viscosity of blood, its stickiness and level of fibrinogen present (a protein which is a raw material to form clots). Our genes and gender has a role to play also.

But diet can also play an important role to prevent the formation of clots. Preventing formation of clots is more helpful than bringing down the levels of cholesterol for recovery of heart disease.

There are certain foods which help us to dissolve clots and prevent their formation. Garlic, onion, ginger, chilly, capsicum, mushroom, clove, cumin, turmeric, fish etc. These food items act like powerful medicines. They thin the blood and prevent their formation.

4.  HUMBLE FIBRE

Carbohydrates with low glycemic index are beneficial for the prevention of heart disease. High fibre diet lowers the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure and also balances blood sugar levels.

Low glycemic index foods like sugar, honey, fruit juices, white flour and its products, increases levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and sugar. So we should consume high fibre food like whole wheat flour, Bajra, Jowar, ragi, whole pulses and fruits and vegetables.

 Soluble fibre like pectin, gum, mucilage have been found to have cholesterol lowering effect. Soluble fibre is present in oats, pulses, whole grains fruit, vegetables and isabgol. Soy protein is rich in fibre. It also has iron and calcium. It can be consumed to lower the levels of excessive triglycerides and cholesterol.

5.  POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants protect our bodies from free radicals and also required for other functions of the body. It is the oxidized cholesterol (by free radicals) which leads to heart problem. So antioxidant rich dirt saves us from this deadly disease.

 Vitamins A, C, E are powerful antioxidants. Vitamin Bare not antioxidants but act as co factors with other vitamins. So we should eat antioxidant rich diet which has lots of red and yellow colored fruit, vegetables, green leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts. These are full of different types of other antioxidants also.

6.  HIGH HOMO CYSTEINE LEVELS ARE DANGEROUS

Some patients with heart disease don’t have high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure or are overweight. But in these cases high homocysteine level in the blood is the main cause.

It is made up of amino acid methoinine. It may be instrumental in clot formation in the blood. Along with diet certain other factors which increase its levels are smoking, lack of exercise and increased levels of LDL.

Folate along with vitamin B12 and B6 help to reduce the levels of homocysteine in the blood. Green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit and legumes are rich in folate. Vitamin B6 is found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds whole grains, legumes, banana and meat, poultry and fish.

Vitamin B12 rich food sources are meat, poultry and fish. Elderly people have impaired absorption of these vitamins. So they can take supplements of folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12.

7.   AVOID STRESS

Negative emotions like anger, depression, and loneliness have detrimental effect on our heart. As during stress cortisol is released which constrict the arteries leading to heart problem    . So suppressed emotions and anger will have catastrophic effect on our bodies. We can control these emotions through meditation, deep breathing techniques and having a cheerful frame of mind.

8.  DO EXERCISE

Exercise is always good to keep all parts of our body healthy. It is never too late to start. We can perform different type of physical activities under proper guidance. Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises are very effective to provide mental and physical relaxation. 

REMEDIES

Fish – Fatty fish are very helpful to keep the arteries smooth and clean. They have omega 3 fatty acids, which reduces LDL cholesterol and also dissolves blood clots. Two to three serving of fish (300-400gms) per week is sufficient to prevent the heart disease.

If you have a heart attack, the surest way to keep your heart healthy is to eat fish. Along with low fat, eating fish, fruit and vegetables is very beneficial for the heart. It can cut your chances of future heart attack. Plant foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids are flaxseeds, nuts, soybean and green leafy vegetables.

 Nuts as hearty drugs – Eat few nuts and seeds everyday to counteract the effect of heart disease. Nut eaters are number one among the people who have healthy hearts. If you eat nut five times a week then there are only half chances of heart attack as compared to those who eat less than once a week.

Nuts are rich in fibre, monounsaturated oil and antioxidants like vitamin E, selenium. So consume all the nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts etc. But if you are overweight then you cannot eat them in abundance. 

                   

Soyabean – It’s a wonderful bean. It lowers cholesterol, if taken along with low fat diet. It has plant compounds called isoflavones which lowers the cholesterol. We can have soya in the form of soya flour, milk, and nut or as soybean curry. It is also rich in calcium and iron.

Oat remedy – Eat oat bran to fight cholesterol. It also boosts up good HDL. Two thirds of a cup of oats can be consumed to derive its benefits.

Garlic – Eat garlic clove if you are concerned about your cholesterol. Six compounds have been found in garlic which reduces cholesterol by inhibiting the synthesis of it in liver. It can be eaten raw or in cooked form. Two cloves can be consumed per day. Garlic powder and garlic salts available in the market, are therapeutically worthless.

Onion – Raw onion is very helpful to increase good HDL cholesterol. Half onion can be taken twice a day. It acts both ways dissolves clots and reduces cholesterol also.

Apples – Apples and other fruit rich in soluble fibre called pectin bring down cholesterol. It has been found out that if two to three apples were taken with normal diet for a month, cholesterol dipped down more than 10%.

Grapefruit – Eat grapes to lower cholesterol. It contains a special kind of soluble fibre called galactouronic acid. It not only brings down cholesterol but also dissolves the plaque.

Indian gooseberry – It is very effective to treat the disease. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. It tones up all the organs of the body. One fruit can be taken when in season.

Parsley – It is very beneficial for heart patient. It maintains all   the arteries in healthy state. One teaspoon of parsley can be used to make the parsley tea in a cup of water by simmering in it for few minutes. It can be taken for 2 to 3 times daily.

Asparagus – It is powerful medicine for heart patients. It is efficient in strengthening a weak heart. It can be taken in the form of juice with honey in the ratio of 2:1. One teaspoon of it can be consumed 3 times daily.

  

Beans have magical powers – Beans and pulses should be consumed by people who have high cholesterol or are heart patients. These are super cholesterol fighting agents. One cup of beans should be consumed to raise the level of HDL in the body. So consume kidney beans,soybean, chickpeas, black beans, lentils etc.