|
 By: Marie Spano
You suck in your stomach, stand tall with your chest out and slyly grimace as you walk by the large department store window. It's only natural to appreciate the results of one's hard work in the gym. And while we may get a bit of satisfaction by examining our physique, it's even more important for us to spend a bit of time also focusing on what's inside our bodies. All of us are walking around with some plaque in our arteries. That's reality. And, many of us are also walking around with some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD; diseases of the heart and blood vessels). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults has CVD. And if you are a man, your risk for both CVD and death from CVD is greater1. Those are the grim statistics. But, the good news is, many dietary factors affect one's risk of developing this disease2. Why is that good news? The more diet is involved the more you have wiggle room to decrease your risk. Instead of telling you what you can't eat, I am going to outline 15 physique-friendly foods you that should be included in your diet (in no particular order though fatty fish does stand out as the top food to eat).
Though a medium-rare New York strip might make your mouth water, grilled salmon will make your heart happy. Studies show low rates of death from cardiovascular disease in populations with high fish consumption3,4. Why? Fatty fish is chock-full of omega-3 fatty acids which decrease both triglyceride levels (fat carried in the bloodstream) and blood pressure. In fact, the relationship between omega-3s and triglyceride levels is dose dependent with higher doses of omega-3s leading to greater decreases in triglyceride levels5.
In addition, eating fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids 1-2 times per week may reduce the risk of coronary death by an astounding 36% and death from all causes by 17%6. As an added bonus, mackerel also contains Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that is important for a healthy heart. Coenzyme Q10 levels are low in many patients who take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. The research on the health benefits of omega 3s continues to mount, so, eat the equivalent of about two 8 oz servings of fish per week7. If you plan to use supplements instead, aim for up to 1 gram/day of EPA+DHA (the two main omega 3s in fish). And, check with your doctor first if you are on blood thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), vitamin E or aspirin.  View Fish Oil Products Sorted By Top Seller Here.
Loaded with antioxidant polyphenols, tea consumption has been associated with a decrease in several chronic diseases related to free radical-induced damage including heart disease. Researchers have surmised that polyphenols prevent our bad cholesterol (LDL) from oxidation which inhibits the formation of the stuff that clogs our arteries8. In one clinical trial, researchers examined the effect of green tea on blood lipids by supplementing 29 subjects with 1 liter (approximately 4 cups) of green tea/day for four weeks, followed by a washout period of 1 liter water/day for 3 weeks and finally, another 4 weeks drinking 1 liter green tea/day.
Significant changes in blood lipids were noted: 90% of subjects reduced LDL with an average decrease of 8.9% and HDL (good cholesterol) increased in 69% of subjects (average 4%)9. The other bonus - tea is naturally calorie-free. This one is a no-brainer considering the many varieties available. And, you can even cook with green or oolong tea (replace the water used to make rice, stews, soups etc. with green or oolong tea- you won't even taste it but you will reap the rewards!). View Green Tea Products Sorted By Top Seller Here.
Low in fat and rich in the B vitamin folate, potassium, iron, magnesium, fiber, protein and phytochemicals (plant compounds that might help prevent a number of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease); you can't go wrong by adding legumes to your diet! In addition, legume consumption is significantly and inversely associated with heart disease10. Try a variety of legumes including black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas (cooked), chickpeas and lentils. Legumes can be added to salads, soups and stews and eaten in hummus and bean dip.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Author, Marie Spano Knows That You Can't Go Wrong By Adding Legumes To Your Diet.
Low levels of potassium are associated with high blood pressure. Potassium helps maintain cell fluid balance and plays a role in muscle contraction. Low levels of this mineral have been associated with high blood pressure11 hence the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet recommendations to include plenty of potassium- rich fruits and vegetables into one's daily diet.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Bell Peppers Are Loaded With Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin A & Antioxidants. Don't supplement this mineral, instead get it from food. Too much potassium can be fatal (that's why most supplements don't contain more than 1% of the Daily Value).
Leafy greens contain fiber (2-5 grams per 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw), carotenoids, folate, phytochemicals, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Carotenoids, the pigment-containing antioxidant compounds that give fruits and vegetables their vast array of vibrant colors, have been associated with decreased levels of both plaque build-up and heart attack12.
Consume at least 3 cups of dark green vegetables per week5. Include leafy greens such as spinach, collard greens, arugula, bok choy and romaine lettuce in your salads, sandwiches and (low-fat) cheese dips.
With about 300 mg potassium each7, oranges will help you meet the recommended 4,700 mg of potassium daily and help curb your cravings for sweets5.
Several studies have linked whole grain consumption to lower blood cholesterol and prevention and management of cardiovascular disease13. Remember to look for "whole grain" or "whole wheat". Try a variety of grains including: oats, oat bran, bulgur, quinoa, kasha, multigrain bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and barley. Cholesterol Articles:
Studies indicate that aged garlic extract and other garlic preparations might positively affect a number of cardiovascular risk factors including cholesterol and platelet activity14,15. Try pressing garlic to release one of its most active ingredients. Cooking is fine but avoid microwaving your meals with garlic which decreases the activity of its heart healthy compounds. Try aged garlic extract or get creative with your cooking and add minced garlic to your pasta salad, pizza, stews and soups. A little goes a long way.
 Click Image To Enlarge.A Little Goes A long Way. View Garlic Products Sorted By Top Seller Here.
Pick a berry and eat it, any berry. Berries are loaded with more antioxidants than many other fruits and vegetables. Eating antioxidants vs. taking them in a pill is preferable and there are few foods where you'll get as much bang for your buck as you will with berries. In addition, a recent Finnish study showed that eating berries may help increase HDL levels and reduce blood pressure.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Pick A Berry & Eat It. View Antioxidants Products Sorted By Top Seller Here.
There are tons of varieties of rice that you can add to your diet and it comes in short cooking, microwaveable and long cooking options. Rice is the perfect grain for those who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten.
A study presented at the American Dietetic Association meeting in 2007 found that rice eaters have more nutritious diets that are higher in 12 essential vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, potassium and vitamin C and lower in saturated fat and added sugar, than the diets of non-rice eaters. This study also found that rice eaters have a lower risk of high blood pressure and being overweight and they may have a reduced risk of heart disease.
Walnuts are often over looked in favor of almonds but, consider this: just 1/4 cup of walnuts contains approximately 20% of your daily need for copper (one of the minerals that isn't found in great quantities in many foods). Walnuts are also a good source of monounsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids as well as those all important polyphenol antioxidants (which prevent LDL oxidation). In one study published in the journal Circulation, men and women with high cholesterol followed a low-calorie diet with the bulk of their fat intake from monounsaturated rich olives and olive oil or the same diet with the fat coming from walnuts. The group consuming walnuts showed an increase in elasticity of their arteries by 64% and a reduction in vascular cell adhesion (which contributes to atherosclerosis).
We know that nut consumption is associated with a reduction in CHD by reducing cholesterol and decreasing LDL oxidation. A recently published study examined the antioxidant action of almonds and LDL oxidation showing a link between the two. This study verifies that there are several heart health components, aside from monounsaturated fats, in almonds that contribute to a reduction in CHD.
Olive oil and olives are loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats which are tied to a reduction in CHD and decreased LDL oxidation (which is associated with clogged arteries). So drizzle a little on your favorite Italian dishes or choose an olive oil based dressing over other varieties. Your heart will thank you.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Olive Oil Is Loaded With Monosaturated Fats.
Some studies have indicated that people who include low-fat or non-fat dairy products may have a decreased risk for developing heart disease. In addition, the DASH diet study showed that a diet low in fat and saturated fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products reduced blood pressure in individuals with and without high blood pressure. The effect of this diet was greater than a diet rich in fruits and vegetables alone. So add a little dairy to your diet to pump up all of your muscles, not just those you see.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Add A Little Dairy To Pump Up All Of Your Muscles.
Wheat germ is a good source of fiber, protein, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium and copper and a very good source of thiamin, phosphorus, zinc, manganese and selenium. That's right, this tiny grain is loaded in several vitamins and minerals and two of which are hard to find in many foods: magnesium and copper. Magnesium affects the muscle tone of blood vessels and keeps heart rhythm steady. Magnesium intake has also been associated with a decreased incidence of coronary heart disease and low magnesium levels have been correlated with high blood pressure and angina (chest pain associated with insufficient blood supply to the heart)16.
Pump up your muscles in the gym, but remember to keep your most important muscle, your heart, healthy by eating right outside of the gym. The 15 foods listed here will help keep you healthy and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. References:
Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here! Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
Related Articles
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sign in for more FREE features and tools!
|
|
Give Us Feedback:
Report A ProblemSite Feedback |
Follow Us:
|
Bodybuilding.com Newsletter
Receive exciting features, |
