Have you wondered if your exercise routine alone is enough to ensure that your on the right track to a healthy heart ? If so then you might find this article helpful.
First of all let me say that exercise alone is not enough however it is a great start. Once you have established an exercise routine that works for you it is important to accompany it with a proper diet and/or supplements that are aimed at a healthy heart. Lets first start off with diet. Some foods that you can start off with are:
A healthy Heart is the way to go
•fish (ones that are high in omega 3’s, such as salmon, tuna, trout etc.)
•certain nuts (about a handful) like walnuts or almonds
•certain berries i.e. strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, just to name a few, are an excellent source of heart healthy nutrition
•flaxseed (which is also high in omega 3’s)
•oatmeal (also good for digestive health as well)
•a 4 ounce glass of red wine (2 glasses for men, one for women) a day (also good for the blood)
•any vegetable that is red, yellow, or orange (such as carrots, tomatoes, squash,)
•spinach (raw is best), substitute it for lettuce in salads or on sandwiches
•any fruits high in beta carotene potassium, magnesium, and fiber i.e. oranges and cantaloupes
•dark chocolate (I know it sounds too good to be true but it’s not) must be at least 70% cocoa
•a few green vegetables as well like broccoli and asparagus are great for the heart.
If you add more than one of these to each meal of the day the you are definitely on the right track. If you find it difficult to eat properly at every meal (I get it, sometimes your out and you have to eat fast food, not recommended more than once a month but you have to do what you have to do, right?) then add a supplement to your daily routine. There are a number of supplements you can take along with your diet and exercise routine that will help your heart stay healthy. Some of them are:
•Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil)
•coenzyme Q-10 (COQ10)
•garlic
•Niacin
•Vitamin D
•magnesium
Just to name a few. There are foods you should obviously avoid. For starters cut out fast foods, like I said before I understand there may be a time that you can’t avoid fast food but there are always alternatives wherever you go. Stay away from anything theta high in cholesterol and anything deep fried (I know that’s all the good tasting stuff right). Stay clear of sugary foods, candy, and of course soda (or pop, depending on where your from) even diet soda can be bad for the heart.
Of course I can’t tell you how to eat or what to drink but if you establish a proper diet along with your exercise routine in the long run your heart will thank you.