Nurture: to feed and protect, to support and encourage, to educate and train.
My father had a heart attack at 44 playing tennis (he was overweight, smoked and drank martinis at lunch); 30 years later (he was his ideal weight, he didn’t smoke or drink martinis at lunch) he had a pacemaker installed and 10 years later died of a heart attack on the golf course. Current “medical” wisdom may say, I am “predisposed” to heart disease but I put my money on Nurture not Nature.
There are many heart healthy foods and many not so heart healthy foods. You can find lists and list of foods that will explain all the reasons you should eat them but the important thing is to find foods you love that also love you.
Just because a food loves you (take Mackerel for instance) doesn’t mean you’ll love it or even eat it for that matter so enjoy as many of the foods listed below as often as possible.
Foods I Love that Also Love My Heart
Sweet Potatoes – high in carotenoids which protects the heart from free radicals
Dark Chocolate – contains phenols which are anti-inflammatory keep arteries unclogged
Walnuts – rich in omega-3 ALA which appear to have blood thinning benefits
Garlic – a fresh clove a day will keep that doctor away
Green Tea – loaded with anti-oxidant polyphenols which block LDL absorption in gut
Oatmeal – soluble fiber which helps eliminate LDL (bad) cholesterol & fatty compounds
Tumeric – eat lots of curry as the curcumin stops artery clogging fatty deposits and cellular waste
Papaya – full of potassium which is needed for a healthy heart beat
Oranges – high in flavonones which decrease LDL, increase LDL
Dried Plums aka Prunes – high in soluble fiber and antioxidants & frozen make a great dessert for dieters
Asparagus – high in saponin which reduces LDL
Wild Caught Salmon – omega 3’s which help prevent oxidation of LDL
Olive Oil – rich in monounsaturated fats that lower LDL
More Foods Rich in Soluble Fiber: lentils, apples, strawberries and black beans
Foods which You May Love (but I don’t) that also Love Your Heart
Cayenne – capsaicin improves circulation, lowers cholesterol, prevents blood clots
Mackerel & Herring- loaded with omega 3’s that reduce plaque & risk of arrhythmia
Flax seeds – vegetarian omega 3’s
The thousand mysteries around us would not trouble but interest us, if only we had cheerful, healthy hearts. Friedrich Wilheim Nietzsche, 19th c German philsopher
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not intended to substitute for medical counseling. Intentional Health does not treat, prevent, cure, or diagnose any disease or ailment.
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