Friday, February 2, 2007 is National "Go Red For Women" Day. It's a simple, but powerful way to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and men.
February is also National Heart Month. Lifescript.com gives some tips on how to lower your cholesterol from Janet Bon Brill's, Ph.D, R.D., new book, "Cholesterol Down." Lowering cholesterol reduces your risk for heart disease, so here are 8 superfoods Dr. Brill recommends:
- Oatmeal. Rich in beta-glucan, which soaks up cholesterol.
- Almonds. Contain 2 powerful anti-oxidants, vitamin E and flavonoids.
- Flaxseeds. Contain lignan and soluble fiber which block production of bad cholesterol. Brill says the seeds are good sprinkled over cereal.
- Garlic. Impedes the liver's ability to make bad cholesterol.
- Phytosterol-Containing Foods. This is a type of fat found in plant foods like fruits, seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils.
- Apples. The fruit is rich in polyphenols which are powerful anti-oxidants that help prevent plaque buildup.
- Beans. These contain soluble fiber that build up in the colon. Healthy bacteria eat the fiber and bean sugars to form short-chain fatty acids which travel to the liver and hinder bad cholesterol production.
- Soy Protein. Contains phytoestrogens-compounds that increase the number and effectiveness of bad cholesterol receptors, improving the liver's ability to get rid of cholesterol in your bloodstream. (Order a soy latte at your favorite coffee house.)
So be heart smart and make other people aware! Any employers helping the cause by supporting a wear red campaign?
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