Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

There is no single cause for heart attack, but there are numerous risk factors that might increase your chance of developing it. Some of those factors are under your control and you can change them to avoid the risk of heart attack. However, some factors are non-modifiable.

The modifiable risk factors include consumption of fatty foods and diets high in sodium, obesity, high serum cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, depression, social isolation and a lack of physical activity. The risk factors which are not under your control include a family history of heart disease, diabetes, increasing age and gender (males are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases than females).

You can reduce your overall risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by making healthy changes to your lifestyle. Make sure that you regularly consume a heart-friendly, balanced diet comprising of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds and cereals. Avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.

It also makes a good idea to regularly use a supplement that helps maintain the health of your cardiovascular system. Natures Aid Fish Oil 1000mg (Omega-3) is a popular brand on the market that supplements your diet with the important omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which are found in many oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout etc. These omega-3 nutrients help maintain healthy arteries and blood circulation. They support healthy heart and keep serum cholesterol levels in check. Moreover, they keep your joints flexible, supple and healthy. Take 1-3 capsules per day.

Fat provides you with energy and you need to consume healthy fatty foods – - but not too much. Monounsaturated fats are considered “healthy” or “good” fats and you should consume them twice a week. Fish, seeds, nuts, olive oil and canola make great dietary sources of monounsaturated fats. They help reduce the levels of “bad cholesterol” or LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the blood.

Trans fats and saturated fats, on the other hand, are considered “unhealthy” or “bad” fats. Animal products and butter contain lots of saturated fats and their consumption must be avoided. Trans fats can reduce the levels of “good cholesterol” or high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. Moreover, they are also responsible for the formation of arterial plaque which can slow down the flow of blood to heart. Make sure that you cook foods in vegetable oils because they contain monounsaturated fats. You should regularly consume cod liver oils because they help maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.

Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Garlic is a popular brand on the market that contains pure cod liver oil omega-3 with garlic plus vitamins A, D and E. Not only does it help maintain a healthy heart and circulation, but it also maintains all around good health. It helps keep your joints flexible and supple and maintains the health of your skin, hair and nails. It is a gelatin-free supplement that offers quality control guarantee. You should consume one capsule a day with water or a cold drink.

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that occur naturally in plant sources. Although they are not recognized as essential nutrients, they may positively affect health. They are widely used in medicines and dietary supplements due to a variety of benefits they have to offer to users.

According to a recent research, fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals that may help reduce risks of cardiovascular problems and cancer, possibly due to polyphenol antioxidants, dietary fibres, fermentable dietary fibres and anti-inflammatory effects. Brassica vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts contain a phytochemical known as diindolylmethane that is known to reduce the risk of prostrate cancer and respiratory papillomatosis tumours.

Black berry and spinach contain lutein that inhibits muscular degeneration and positively affects visual performance. Garlic and onions contain a phytochemical known as allyl sulfide that maintains the health of cardiovascular system and promotes healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Blueberries contain phytochemical, anthocyanin, which is known to have anti-cancerous properties. Similarly, fruits, chocolate, red wine and tea contain flavonoids that lower the elevated cholesterol levels and minimise the risk of a heart attack.

Citrus fruits contain limonoids where as cruciferous vegetables are rich in sulforaphane. Both phytochemicals exhibit anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Tomatoes are rich in a phytochemical known as lycopene. It protects against the risk of prostrate cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Along with consuming phytochemicals-rich diets, make sure that you take a supplement which contains probiotics in its formulation. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help in proper digestion and promote a healthy immune system.

Optibac Flat Stomach Probiotics & Prebiotics makes an excellent blend of prebiotics and probiotics such as acidophilus. Prebiotic is the food that is necessary to maintain the healthy population of probiotics.

This supplement promotes a comfortably flat stomach and supports digestion. Moreover, it also supports a healthy probiotic balance in the intestinal track. It makes a wonderful gift for those people who suffer from abdominal bloating due to food intolerances, PMS, trapped wind or stress.

Numerous studies do reveal that psychological stress and anxiety can trigger an elevation in serum cholesterol levels. There are numerous reasons why anxiety is associated with high cholesterol levels.

First and foremost, stressful situations cause your body to produce more glucose, fatty acids and energy in response, thus requiring increased production of bad cholesterol or LDL (low density lipoprotein) by the liver.

Another reason is that stress often leads to unhealthy life choices such as unhealthy eating behaviours, alcohol consumption, smoking and inactivity, all of which are associated with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Moreover, stress also triggers the production of harmful chemicals that cause an increase in blood cholesterol levels.

If the recent stress phase or unhealthy eating habits have elevated your serum cholesterol levels, then you should take a supplement on a regular basis that helps maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels.

Vitabiotics Cardioace Plus Multivitamins And Omega-3 is a comprehensive vitamin formula with plant sterols. Plant sterols help contribute to healthy “Good” cholesterol or HDL levels. Moreover, it contains natural compounds called resveratrol and Co Q10. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that helps support vascular health. Co Q10 plays an important role in heart health and is important for energy production as well.

Omega-3 fish oils are included in Vitabiotics Cardioace, which play an important role in maintaining normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) in omega-3 fish oil influences platelet adhesion that helps support the flow of blood through vessels. Take 2 to 3 capsules per day with your main meal.

Ischemic Stroke is the most common type of stroke, which is responsible for the countless deaths all around the globe. It is a serious medical condition in which a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel inside one’s brain. The clot may travel through the blood or develop on the spot. Once a blood vessel in one’s brain is clogged, it may lead to the rupturing of that particular blood vessel, thus causing an internal bleeding.

There are many factors that make you vulnerable to the risk of ischemic stroke. However, the most common reason is atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. In this condition, cholesterol and fat build up in arteries, thus leaving less space for blood to flow. Once the passage of blood is obstructed, a tiny blood clot may lodge in this narrow space, hence leading to an ischemic attack.

In order to avoid the ischemic attack, make sure that you adopt a healthy lifestyle. You should avoid consuming fat-rich diets and foods from animal sources. Make sure that you cook foods in the plant oils instead of animal oils. Moreover, perform a physical activity on a regular basis. Avoid smoking, heavy use of alcohol, and depression and spend spare time with your family and friends.

Furthermore, use a dietary supplement such as Efamol Efalex Omega-3 & Omega-6 on a regular basis. It makes a unique combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil providing the important nutrients such as GLA, AA and DHA, which play a vital role in brain function. It contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are needed for healthy brain including concentration and co-ordination. DHA and AA make important building blocks of brain, nervous system and eye, whereas EPA and GLA are needed in the transmission of messages between nerves.

In order to achieve your goal of weight loss, make sure that you follow low fat diet menus along with performing cardio as well as strength training exercises. A low fat diet menu is usually comprised of those foods that are filling and bulky, but have a lower caloric value at the same time. Examples of such foods include vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

A low fat diet menu should mainly focus on consuming the monounsaturated fats as they decrease the levels of bad cholesterol and increase the levels of good cholesterol in your body. Polyunsaturated fats such as olive oil tend to lower the levels of both good as well as bad cholesterol in your body and therefore, your low fat diet menu should not be comprised of more that 10% of polyunsaturated fats. Moreover, make sure that you consume foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates. Foods such as vegetables and beans are rich in starch and fibres and they promote a good health of your digestive system.

Low fat diet menus must be incorporated into the dietary routine of those people who have high levels of blood cholesterol. Another advantage of following a low fat diet plan is that it helps lower the risks of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases and even cancer.

In order to maintain the health of your heart and bring the cholesterol levels down, make sure that you use a supplement such as Equazen Cardiozen Fish Oil. This supplement contains 80% Omega-3 long essential chain fatty acids in a convenient and natural triglyceride form. This supplement ensures a pure and concentrated delivery of an essential fatty acid-EPA. EPA is converted by the body into hormone like substances known as prostaglandins that help maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.