Heart Disease is the number one killer disease in men and women but why should we continue to let that be a statistic? Speaking with Dr. Suzanne Farrell, Registered Dietitian and owner of Cherry Creek Nutrition gave me insight that I wanted to share with my readers on ways to Love Your Heart.
The leading causes of heart disease are:
Obesity
Stress
Age
Gender
Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
High LDL and Low LDL
Birth Control
There are also things we eat every day that are promoters of heart disease such as:
Saturated Fats (Meat, Butter/Lard, Cheese and Dairy)
Refined Sugar
Sodium
If you feel any of these factors are a part of your life, it is time to make some healthy changes, starting with your diet.
Dr. Farrell suggests protecting your heart’s health by eating more vegetables, nuts, seeds and foods high in Omega 3s. Look for soluble fibers to break down cholesterol, think black beans, garbanzo beans, dark chocolate, apple skins and berries. Almonds, fish, chia seeds and eggs are all a great source of Omega 3s that help lower blood pressure and enhance overall heart health. Look for these products at your local Sprouts Farmers Market.
Once you have your diet in order, I recommend being active. The best way to a healthy heart is exercising it every day. My favorite cardiovascular activities are hiking, running, and yoga. This year I signed up for the BolderBoulder 10k and last year I finished the Hot Chocolate 15k. I don’t enjoy running but I love competing at races. Find what makes your heart happy.