Apparently we have indeed been demonising fat for no reason!!! I am a genius. I was right!! ;-) – Daniel Wellard Physio4Life Personal Trainer and Nutritionist

So, according to the latest nutritional news story, we have been demonising fat for no reason!!!!! I am a genius. I was right!!! Or, I have been reading about nutrition for 15 years and understand that ’natural’ fat is not all bad, and will not give you a heart attack (so long as you don’t over consume it).

 I stick by what I always try and preach, and it’s nice to have a news story to back up what I go on and on and on and on about!!!  Eat a variety of different, nutritional foods that are natural and come from natural sources. If anything has added chemicals, hydrogenated fats (the real bad fits found in lots of confectionary cookies, cakes), limit or avoid it.

Whilst we are on the subject of improving our heart health, try 3 foods that will improve heart health. 

 

(resource – http://examine.com/blog/5-supplements-and-foods-for-a-stronger-heart/?utm_source=Examine.com+Insiders&utm_campaign=9a81cbe203-5_supplements_for_a_stronger_heart2_10_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e4d662cb1b-9a81cbe203-63235041&ct=t(5_supplements_for_a_stronger_heart2_10_2015)&goal=0_e4d662cb1b-9a81cbe203-63235041&mc_cid=9a81cbe203&mc_eid=00876a1e4b)

 

Nitrates

Nitrates and potassium are two of the reasons vegetables are so good for you. Nitrates, found in beets and a variety of leafy greens, are a reliable and effective way to increase nitric oxide synthesis in the body, which improves circulation and reduces blood pressure. 

Eating a diet high in nitrates decreases your risk for hypertension and the problems associated with high blood pressure, such as myocardial infarctions and sexual dysfunction.

Garlic

Hydrogen sulfide is another compound that can reduce blood pressure. In fact, it even aids in the creation of new blood vessels. Garlic, whether part of the diet or ingested through supplementation, is a cheap and potent way to increase hydrogen sulfide’s signaling in the body. Like elevated nitric oxide levels, improved hydrogen sulfide signaling helps sustain reduced blood pressure, while also promoting the growth of new arterioles.

Studies show that garlic can also reduce arterial calcification, as well as lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, though this effect is less potent than its effect on hydrogen sulfide. Garlic is a good heart-health supplement because it can improve several parameters of heart health.

Vitamin K

A healthy artery is a flexible one. During arterial calcification, calcium adheres to the artery wall, increasing its stiffness. Arterial stiffness and “compliance” (the inverse of stiffness) are very reliable biomarkers of mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

In addition to providing benefits for bone health, Vitamin K (found in high doses in kale and natto) is one of the few dietary supplements that may be able to reduce arterial calcification. The optimum daily intake for vitamin K supplementation, characterized by heart health benefits, is higher than the amount food could reasonably provide. This is why vitamin K supplementation is recommended in addition to eating food rich in vitamin K.

Happy Health

Daniel Wellard