Reducing Heart Disease
Our hearts are the most important, and often the most neglected organ in our bodies. Heart disease has a way of creeping in while we think we are maintaining a healthy body. The truth is many of us who believe we are healthy are simply setting ourselves up for health problems down the road.
In this superficial world, we often see someone who is relatively thin as being basically healthy. While it is true that carrying less body fat is a very good way to avoid heart problems, preventing heart disease requires more than a slim waistline.
Diet plays a huge role in heart health. Other than smoking and hereditary factors, a poor diet is probably the biggest cause of heart disease – and the easiest to fix. It is essential to reduce fat and cholesterol intake, as cholesterol build-up in the form of plaque on the walls of your arteries is the primary cause of heart disease today. Choose low-fat varieties of your favorite foods or substitute high-cholesterol foods with alternatives. Eat more chicken and fish and save the burger for a picnic. Use canola or olive oil rather than vegetable oil or butter. A little research will reveal many ways to substitute fat-laden ingredients with healthy ones.