Many vegetarians rely too much on white carbs, overly processed meat alternatives, and cheese, to reach their energy needs. But, regularly eating this type of diet is not healthy for your heart.   A vegetarian diet can, however, be very healthful and nutritious, when carefully planned to include all of the essential nutrients, which the body requires.    A vegan or total vegetarian diet includes foods from plants such as fruits,...

5/3/2011 9:59:00 AM

With so much hype about how "bad" LDL cholesterol is, you may have completely overlooked HDL cholesterol. However, HDL cholesterol plays a very important role in your heart health.    In fact, research suggests that a five-point reduction in HDL cholesterol levels, is linked to a 25% increase in heart disease risk.   So, how does HDL work in the body? Here are a few of the suggested benefits: HDL removes cholesterol...

4/28/2011 9:33:00 AM

Most people know fish oil is good for them, but exactly why and how much is needed, is a little uncertain in most people's minds.   Fish oil has, indeed, been shown by researchers to reduce your chance of getting heart disease, by improving blood cholesterol levels. If you are at risk for coronary heart disease, studies show that you can benefit from taking fish oil, due to the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.   Your body doesn't product...

4/15/2011 9:01:00 AM

Last week I talked about triglycerides and how they affect our health, and this week we want to go a little further in that discussion, to look at some of the dietary changes which will help you reduce your triglyceride levels.   Three Ways to Lower Your Triglyceride Levels   1. Reduce your processed carb intake The standard advice, which gravitates towards a diet lower in fat as a way to protect your heart, may be doing more...

4/5/2011 5:56:00 AM

We hear a lot about "cutting our saturated fat intake" these days, but unfortunately protecting your heart health is an awful lot more complicated than that. Let's take triglycerides as one example. What are triglycerides?Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food, and also in the body. The triglycerides which you find in blood plasma come from fats eaten in your diet, or from those made in the body from...

3/30/2011 10:26:00 AM

  Flax seeds have become more and more popular in recent years, due to their health-protective properties. Most notably, reducing the risk of heart disease, as well as the prevention of some cancers.   So, why are flax seeds beneficial for heart health?   Flax seeds and cholesterol lowering Flax seeds are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid. This is the plant-derived type of omega-3 fats, which has been shown to lower...

3/29/2011 8:01:00 PM

Dieting can feel almost impossible to maintain unless you say "no!" to every party, lunch meeting; and even your colleagues at the office.   So, how can you deal with these food temptations, and still stay on track? Here are some suggestions:   #1 At the birthday party If you're at a birthday party, it's completely fine to satisfy your cravings by having a small amount of cake, or other treat.   If you want to be "good",...

10/24/2010 4:06:00 PM

  Without a doubt the best workout for your heart is aerobic exercise, such as walking, running, swimming, or cycling. However, that isn't the only kind of activity shown to be beneficial to heart health.    Strength training is also important for overall fitness, and research indicates your heart will benefit too.    Strength training, is exercise which builds muscle mass — but don't worry, I'm not talking...

10/12/2010 9:01:00 AM

This month we've been focusing on cholesterol, for National Cholesterol Education Month. So, it's a great time to think about how things have been going with your health lately, and make any changes that seem necessary.   If you have high cholesterol it's up to you to work out how you can effectively lower it.   While medications are available, there are always going to be side effects and risks from taking these, and...

9/21/2010 1:18:00 PM

  This month we're focusing on cholesterol, for National Cholesterol Education Month. So, it's a great time to check in with your doctor again, if an appointment is overdue, to make sure everything is as it should be.   If you have high cholesterol, it's important that you know all about the condition, and how it can affect your life. High cholesterol can produce serious complications, so the more you know about it, the...

9/14/2010 6:45:00 AM