February is not only about chocolate and flowers; showering our loved ones with our gratitude. It is also about loving ourselves and taking care of our bodies. February is American Health Month and this month we are helping you on your path towards a heart healthy lifestyle.
Fresh produce is the best kick start for your heart. Fruits and vegetables help wipe out free radicals in the bloodstream, protecting blood vessels. Heart superfoods include Oranges, Kale and Lentils. Oranges’ soluble fiber pectin acts like a giant sponge, sopping up cholesterol in food. Kale contains glucoraphanin that activates a special protective protein called Nrf2 which (like Teflon) coats your arteries to keep plaque from adhering.
Other helpful foods include almonds, sardines, and dark chocolate. The good Omega 3 fatty acid in Sardines lower harmful triglycerides, raise protective HDL, reduce potentially fatal heart arrhythmias, and tamp down inflammation.
Supplements for optimal health include CoQ10 and Resveratrol. A polyphenol found in red wine, grapes and other plants (which is in Resveratrol) may help improve circulatory function. CoQ10 may help with heart-related conditions, because it can improve energy production in cells, prevent blood clot formation, and act as an antioxidant.
And of course, a regular exercise routine such as walking can help bring down stress levels and keep your body in optimal shape.
We look forward to working with you this February on your heart health goals!
