Diet Stops Heart Disease
Diet Stops Heart Disease
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. With millions of Americans stricken with this disease, there is a lot of emphasis on prevention as well as a cure. Diet has been cited as being a contributing factor for increased of heart disease.
Lowering cholesterol and eating a diet that is designed to decrease blood pressure will be beneficial to those who are concerned with the possibility of preventing heart disease. Blood pressure levels can be reduced with an eating plan low in saturated fat, and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products.
High blood pressure affects approximately fifty million Americans. The best way to prevent and control high blood pressure is to maintain a healthy weight, partake in regular exercise, eat healthy foods, avoid salt and drink alcoholic beverages in moderation. If you have high blood pressure it is important to consult your physician for the best plan for lifestyle changes.
The diet plan called DASH was designed not to promote weight loss but instead to promote a healthy heart to reverse the effects of heart disease or to prevent it from occurring. This diet reduces the amount of calories consumed so weight loss is often a positive result. It is rich in foods like fruits and vegetables and reduces the amount of red meats.
The DASH diet is very high in fruits, vegetables and foods that are high in fiber. Because of this you may experience bloating and diarrhea. To avoid this side effect, it is recommended the daily intake of these food items in your diet be gradually increased as opposed to jumping headlong into the program. It will also give you a chance to become familiar with the diet and get more comfortable with eating the foods.
Starting this diet gradually will also help you psychologically by allowing you to set many short term goals. As you reach each goal you will get a sense of accomplishment and it will motivate you to continue with the plan. This will increase your chances of successfully completing the diet and leading a healthier way of life.
The diet also encourages a greatly reduced use of sodium. This means you will need to start checking the labels of food items and take caution when eating pre packaged foods and processed foods. Again, this is something that can be done gradually. Since vegetables and fruit do not naturally contain much sodium, as you increase your diet intake of these items, your sodium levels will also decrease.
If you eat too much or too little of a recommended food during one particular day, do not worry too much. What you should concentrate on, however, is the average over several days or a week. Make sure you account for any excesses on a previous day the following day. If you maintain this type of diet and add regular exercise to your weekly routine, you will be well on your way to a healthier heart.