Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra has labels four nutrients – magnesium, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, and D-ribose – ‘the awesome foursome’ due to patient results linked to these nutrients.

These four nutrients are involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate (i.e. cellular energy). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is produced in the mitochondria of every cell. An ATP deficiency is linked to numerous health conditions, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart failure, Alzheimer’s, and stroke.

These four nutrients can help boost the body’s production of ATP.

Continue reading ‘The Awesome Foursome: Four Nutrients for a Heart Health’ »

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN – wah) has become a hot commodity the past few months according to a National Restaurant Association survey.

What is quinoa?

Quinoa is not technically a grain, but the seed of a large plant called Chenoposium quinoa or Goosefoot plant. Quinoa is available in many colors (ivory, pink, red, white, brown, black) and forms (grains, flakes, cereals, pastas).

Nutrient Analysis

Continue reading ‘Lower Blood Pressure with Quinoa’ »

It’s important to know that heart failure may be linked to nutritional deficiencies. The right supplements can drastically improve your condition.

If you are diagnosed with heart failure here are four supplements to discuss with your doctor:

1. Coenyzme Q10

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant. CoQ10 is directly involved in the production of energy and removes many free radicals from circulation. Free radicals lead to the oxidation of LDL and the subsequent chain of events that result in arterial plaque formation and narrowed arteries.

Continue reading ‘Heart Failure and Nutritient Deficiency’ »

If you’re making mashed potatoes or many other potato dishes, what do you do?  Cube the potatoes and throw them in a pot of water to boil?  If you want to hang on to the potassium potatoes offer, it’s best to boil the potato whole – skin and all.  When potatoes are cubed or shredded then boiled, studies show a 75% loss of potassium.

Also, good news if you like to soak your potatoes in water overnight.  Soaking potatoes does not result in a significant loss of nutrients to the water they’re soaked in.

For regular heart health and weight loss tips from dietitian Lisa Nelson, be sure to sign up for The Heart of Health ezine.