Lower CholesterolFlaxseed and cholesterol – 3 Ways to Use Flax to Reduce Heart Disease
Flaxseed is a great diet addition if you are looking to reduce your risk for heart disease. Flaxseed is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, and phytochemical lignans.
Flax is an option for individuals that dislike fish, but want to boost their intake of omega 3 fatty acids which are known to decrease heart disease risk by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Also, the fiber content makes meals “heavier” so you feel full longer, decreasing your likelihood to overeat. The fiber also promotes a lower LDL cholesterol level. Flaxseed lignans have been linked to cancer protection.
Aim for adding 1 teaspoon of flax oil to your diet each day or 1 tablespoon of milled flax. Adding flax to your diet is very simple. Here are a few options:
1. Flaxseed must be ground in order for your body to utilize the omega 3 fatty acids within, so buy your flaxseed ground and add to cereal, yogurt, salads, baked goods, and hot dishes. You are able to grind whole flaxseed with a coffee grinder or blender. Be sure to keep ground flaxseed refrigerated!
2. Flax oil can be used as part of a salad dressing or in recipes that call for oil. Flax oil contains the beneficial omega 3’s, but no fiber.
3. Use flaxseed as a recipe substitute for fat and eggs. Substitute 3 tablespoons ground flax for 1 tablespoon butter, shortening, or vegetable oil. To use flax in place of eggs, mix 1 tablespoon ground flax with 3 tablespoons water and let mixture set until gel like (1-2 minutes). Use mixture in place of 1 egg.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps
Lower Blood PressureHow to Use Calcium to Lower Blood Pressure
The link between calcium and blood pressure was noticed years ago when researchers realized people drinking hard water had less high blood pressure than those drinking soft water. Hard water contains more minerals, including calcium.
Individuals receiving more than 800 mg of calcium daily have a 23 percent decreased risk of high blood pressure versus those consuming less than 400 mg of calcium per day.
Back in 1996, scientists compiled all the research to date on calcium and high blood pressure. The results showed calcium supplements given to individuals with high blood pressure lowered systolic blood pressure (top number) an average of 4.3 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) 1.5 mm Hg.
Some people respond better to supplemental calcium than others. Those with the best results include African-Americans, elderly, pregnant women, menopausal women, people with salt-sensitivity, individuals with a high sodium intake, and those with Type II diabetes.
For the best results, don’t rely on a supplement alone. Work to increase your intake of calcium containing foods – dairy. To promote heart health, select low fat dairy products, such as low fat milk, cheeses, and yogurts.
Additional calcium sources:
Leafy greens (i.e. kale, collard, turnip, mustard greens)
Broccoli
Sardines
Canned Salmon
Calcium fortified Orange Juice
Tofu (if made with calcium carbonate)
For even better results, supplement calcium along with vitamin D. One study supplemented women 1200 mg of calcium to reduce blood pressure. When they added 800 IU of vitamin D, systolic blood pressure decreased an average of 9.3 percent.
Don’t forget three other minerals affect how effective calcium – potassium, magnesium, and sodium. For calcium to have the greatest positive effect on blood pressure, your levels of these three nutrients need to be adequate as well.
For additional steps to lower blood pressure, check out the free course 7 Naturals Ways to Lower Blood Pressure.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Image courtesy of alex_ugalek at freedigitalphotos.net
Lower CholesterolWorksite Wellness Programs – Does your employer influence your choices?
Right now there are a number of federal rules that limit what employers and insurers can do to encourage and reward healthy behavior, such as being physically active, losing weight, and smoking cessation.
President Obama has outlined 8 principles for health legislation that will make it easier for employers to provide worksite wellness and prevention programs, such as tax credits and other subsidies. The goals of worksite wellness programs would be to promote heart health, decrease obesity, manage diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
Some proposals provide periodic screenings for health problems and others include counseling focused on healthier lifestyles. By becoming healthier, employees will reduce health care costs and productivity increases. Rewards for achieving a healthier lifestyle may include financial incentives, such as gift certificates and cash rewards. Some insurers already reward employees with lower health insurance premiums.
Of course, there’s always going to be the “other side of the coin” as some criticize the plan, saying employers will be prying too much into employee’s personal lives.
What do you think? Would a good worksite wellness program influence you to take action to live a healthier life?
One option to achieve a healthy worksite is by incorporating the Worksite Wellness Programs available to you.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Lower Blood PressureHeart Health – Are you getting enough potassium?
If you have high blood pressure or want to take steps to prevent high blood pressure, it’s very important you balance your intake of sodium and potassium. The more potassium in your diet and the lower the sodium, the better your blood pressure will be.
The typical American diet contains 3.6 grams of sodium daily, while the current guidelines recommend limiting sodium to 2.3 grams or less daily (~1 teaspoon). Many Americans are deficient on potassium intake with various causes of low potassium. Currently dietary guidelines recommend 4.7 grams of potassium each day. Good potassium sources include bananas, potatoes, cantaloupe, dates, nuts, oranges, and green leafy vegetables.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
Lower Blood PressureA Blood Pressure Drop as Temperatures Rise?
More interesting research findings I want to share.
A French study found a link between the weather and blood pressure, especially for individuals over the age of 80. As temperatures dropped 25 degrees, such as change from summer to winter, systolic blood pressure (top number) increased 5.0 mmHg.
Hmmm, another reason to retire in the tropics!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
Lower CholesterolHeart Health – Are Omega 6's Good or Bad?
I and other experts so frequently discuss omega 3 fatty acids and the health benefits that you may think all other types of fat are “bad”. That’s not the case. There are many types of heart healthy fats, including omega 6 fatty acids. At least 5-10% of your daily calories should come from omega 6 fatty acids. Some sources of omega 6’s are safflower, sunflower, and soybean oils. Replacing unhealthy fats in your diet with heart healthy unsaturated fats (such as omega 6’s) can decreased coronary heart disease by 24%.
The problem comes from our diets containing too much omega 6. The typical American diet is very high in omega 6 fatty acids. This leads to problems with inflammation when the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 intake is drastically distorted and is why you don’t hear experts recommending you increase omega 6’s in your diet. You probably have more than enough already and need to work on balancing your omega 6’s with omega 3’s to promote optimal heart health.
February is American Heart Month. In recognition of American Heart Month you can access Heart Health Made Easy at a 25% savings. Learn more about this take action guide to lower cholesterol and blood pressure at http://www.hearthealthmadeeasy.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight