The heart and blood are at the core of how we receive nutrients and eliminate wastes. For our hearts to function optimally, we need a wide array of vitamins, enough water, and the correct electrolytic balance with regards to sodium, potassium, magnesium and other critical minerals. 

A steady flow of blood and nutrients ensures that the cells receive oxygen and other bio-compounds and can carry wastes out of the body. If you have high: blood pressure, cholesterol, C-reactive protein, or a more progressive form of heart disease, it's a warning sign that you are developing heart disease and should swift take action!

Research has well-established that you can both prevent, and reverse, heart disease.  Diet, exercise and stress all play major roles.  You'll need to reduce sodium found in most sauces, restaurant and processed foods, and maintain an anti-inflammatory and high-antioxidant diet.  Pro-inflammatory and free-radical forming foods are causative factors in heart disease and include: sugar, chemicals, artificial colors, preservatives and trans-fats, to name a few.  They can injure the blood vessels and cause a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries which causes blood pressure to go up, and may one day cause a cardiovascular "event" such as a heart attack or stroke. 

However, you can prevent this, through nutrition and exercise. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods protect the arteries and neutralize free radicals.  The protective foods include: brightly colored fruits and vegetables, avocadoes, low heat roasted or raw nuts and seeds, high fiber grains like steel cut oats, wild rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa, and other plant foods.

Not only do plant foods have "phytonutrients" which translates to "plant nutrients", they have minerals which are sourced from the soil in which they're grown. These minerals are essential for maintaining the electrolytic balance of the blood and heart rhythm.  

If you believe you are at a high risk for heart disease, or have been diagnosed with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you will benefit from nutrition intervention.

Our Registered Dietitians can help you make a lasting healthy lifestyle change that can reverse heart disease.  We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare.  Please call or email us to verify your nutrition benefits and get started on a personal nutrition program!

Healthy heart and blood recipes coming....