Another blog post from Ann Arbor Chiropractor, Mike Tannenbaum, D.C.: Foods to Help Avoid Heart Disease.

Even though we’ve come a long way in understanding heart disease and understanding how to prevent it, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S.

A major component – and one of the most basic aspects of maintaining a healthy heart – is consuming a diet that consists of heart-healthy foods. I’ve listed below some of the  heart-healthy foods we recommend at our Ann Arbor chiropractic office, and you’ll find more on the website of the American Heart Association.

Walnuts: These nuts have been shown to strengthen and fortify the blood vessels of the heart which is important to maintaining heart health.

Raisins: Raisins have been shown to help prevent two things that can contribute to heart disease: body inflammation and gum disease.

Leafy green vegetables: Leafy green vegetables contain large amounts of vitamin K, known to help protect arteries and promote healthy blood clotting. Leafy green vegetables also contain nitrates, shown to reduce blood pressure and reduce the stiffening of arteries.

Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries have been shown to help reduce heart disease in a variety of ways. Here are a couple: They are packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and other heart stressors that can cause heart disease. Also, reduce LDL cholesterol (also called “bad cholesterol”), which if too high can contribute to heart disease.

Avocado: Avocado is a great source of monounsaturated fats, which are shown to reduce cholesterol levels, and to lower risk of heart disease. Avocado is also rich in potassium, a nutrient important to heart health.

Fish: Studies have shown that a fatty acid found in fish, called omega-3, helps prevent blood clots and irregular heartbeat, and helps reduce blood pressure. Some fish have more omega-3 than others. Salmon is a fish high in omega-3. However, some fish contain high levels of toxic metals such as mercury, and consumption should be restricted. (A list of fish to be avoid can easily be found with an online search.)

If you have any questions about this blog post, chiropractic, neck pain, back pain, or headaches, I can be contacted at my Ann Arbor chiropractic office at [email protected].

Information contained in this blog post is for information only and is not to be considered medical advice.