| What if you could eat your way to heart health? A | | | | other hand, blunts the effects of salt in the body and |
| heart healthy diet includes plenty of plant-based | | | | helps the body more efficiently regulate blood |
| foods: fresh fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome | | | | pressure. |
| choices. There's plenty of scientific data that | | | | It may be tempting to visit the health food store and |
| suggests such a diet not only helps people control | | | | stock up on potassium pills, but that could actually be |
| high blood pressure and lose weight. And with weight | | | | dangerous. Too much potassium can be very harmful |
| loss, blood pressure frequently falls back into the | | | | and potassium supplements should only be taken |
| normal range too. | | | | under a doctor's advice. |
| What is it about such a diet that helps control blood | | | | Instead of popping vitamins, a much better way to |
| pressure? The key is in the chemistry of a | | | | both lower your salt intake and increase your intake |
| plant-based diet. | | | | of potassium as well as many vitamins, minerals and |
| The Sodium and Potassium Link to High Blood | | | | antioxidants is to eat a plant-based diet. |
| Pressure | | | | Why Eat a Raw, Vegan Diet? |
| According to the American Heart Association | | | | One of the largest studies every conducted on |
| website, "Potassium blunts the effects of sodium." | | | | dietary patterns and health, The China Study, is also |
| That's good news for the millions of people trying to | | | | the subject of a best selling book by T. Colin |
| eat a heart healthy diet. Sodium or salt is found in | | | | Campbell, PhD. Dr. Campbell's research and analysis of |
| many foods, and we do need some sodium for | | | | other scientists' research indicates that in all cases, a |
| health - but not nearly as much as the average | | | | diet rich in plants seems to prevent heart diseases, |
| person eats on a given day. It's not just the salt you | | | | improve heart health, reduce blood pressure and |
| shake onto your French fries that counts, either. | | | | prevent many other chronic diseases. Other doctors |
| Foods such as canned soup, canned vegetables, | | | | such as Dr. Pritikin and Dr. Dean Ornish concur. |
| ketchup and other condiments, salad dressing, frozen | | | | For those who want to experience optimal health, a |
| meals and restaurant meals are loaded with salt. The | | | | raw, vegan diet is ideal. A raw vegan diet is based on |
| average person consumes well over the | | | | eating an abundance of green vegetables, fruits, and |
| recommended amount, often double or even triple | | | | other raw, uncooked vegetables. It's naturally |
| that amount. | | | | abundant in potassium and other heart-healthy |
| One of the first things doctors recommend to people | | | | substances while low in things you want to avoid in a |
| diagnosed with high blood pressure (readings over | | | | heart healthy diet, such as fats and sodium. |
| 140/90) is to reduce their salt intake. Why? Salt and | | | | How to Start Eating for Heart Health |
| potassium are part of the intricate chemical system | | | | The best way to start eating a heart healthy diet is |
| that regulates how much fluid is in the body. You've | | | | to focus on consuming more fresh fruits and |
| probably noticed that when you eat very salty | | | | vegetables while minimizing processed foods. Make |
| foods, you retain water temporarily. When you retain | | | | slow, gradual changes, such as changing a breakfast |
| fluids, it puts extra pressure on your cardiovascular | | | | heavy on bacon and eggs over one heavy on fresh |
| system and can raise blood pressure. Over time, the | | | | fruit. Enjoy the changes, follow your doctor's advice, |
| imbalance may cause a constant rise in blood | | | | and eat more plant-based foods for heart health. |
| pressure or high blood pressure. Potassium, on the | | | | |