There are many natural remedies, such as red wine, garlic and orange, that we can find in our kitchen are effective to help prevent and treat heart disease, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
The health statistics suggest that heart disease, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis are the major common diseases in the west. In the United States, there were 616,000 people died of heart disease in 2008. And heart disease caused almost 25% of deaths. Every year there are about 785,000 Americans suffer a first coronary attack.
How to prevent and treat these diseases
Scientists have been studying the effects of cholesterol in the human body. They found that the buildup of the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) can cause atherosclerosis and heart disease. High level of the LDL cholesterol in the coronary arteries can lead to blockages that cause heart strokes.
Scientists suggest that eating healthy foods that contain antioxidants can help fight the buildup of the LDL cholesterol on the artery walls, preventing the cerebrovascular accident – the carotid artery being blocked.
Which foods should we eat
Scientists suggest that, red wine, garlic and orange are great sources of antioxidants. They are beneficial to our heart health.
Studies have proven that intake of wine could decrease high level of bad cholesterol, and help in preventing coronary artery diseases. Wine contains antioxidants and other chemicals such as resveratrol and flavonoids, which eliminate bad cholesterol from arteries. Researchers found that Vitamin E in wine acts as anti coagulants, preventing the plaque formation in arteries. People who often consume a moderate amount of wine have 30% less chances of developing cardiovascular problems.
Garlic is a common spice which can be eaten raw or cooked. Garlic has long been known for its health benefits and medicinal properties. Studies have suggested that garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis and help reduce heart disease. Researchers have found that garlic has a powerful antioxidant effect, which helps fight free radicals, and helps treat high cholesterol and heart disease. It is recommended to cook with raw garlic, or take the powder of garlic in tablets and capsules for the health benefits.
Orange is a healthy food that has a valuable medicinal benefit. Many studies have confirmed that eating an orange or a glass of orange juice a day can promote the health of the cardiovascular system, reduce the risk of stroke. Orange is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids. These compounds help elimination of a free radical in the body. According to clinical trials, the orange juice has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and lower the level of the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
Please note, although red wine, garlic and orange are heart-friendly foods. But they might still have some side effects when used in certain situations. For example, if you suffer from a liver disease, consuming too much wine, garlic or orange, might worsen the conditions. Consult your doctor before taking any remedies.
Read more information about natural remedies for heart disease.
References
- Minino AM, Murphy SL, Xu J, Kochanek KD. Deaths: Final data for 2008. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 59 no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.
- Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2012 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. Epub 2011 Dec 15.
