Heart healthy foods for radiant beauty
Apple Cider Vinegar
The list of health benefits ACV has is the reason why whole books have been dedicated to it. ACV Helps to literally break away at atherosclerotic plaque that can damage arteries. Drinking AVC just before each meal will stimulate digestion & assist in breaking down the proteins you are eating in that meal. Consuming ACV near your meal will improve the absorption of minerals and vitamins you are eating. ACV has an incredibly alkaline effect on the body, we need to keep our body alkaline. Many foods we eat in our western diet such as dairy and grains are acid forming within the body, an acidic environment is not favourable, as an acidic environment is what cancer thrives in. An diet filled with plenty of alkaline foods is ideal..
Beetroots
Beetroots contain nitrates which produce gas called nitric oxide in the blood. NO widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which is great for blood flow. Next time you are off to a work out or about to head out for a jog- down yourself a straight homemade beetroot juice and see the results in your energy levels. Endurance athletes will often drink straight beetroot juice to train.
Oil Fish- Omega 3 containing fish
Omega 3 fats such as EPA & DHA assists in reducing inflammation within the body. Inflammation is the root of almost all – if not all disease. Reducing inflammation with nutritional medicine should be at the top of everyone’s list. Omega 3’s will also help to keep the skin moisturised & help to keep arterial walls soft.
Astaxanthin is an omega 3 oil found in krill oil that is super high in DHA and also classed as an anti-oxidant. Krill is a far more potent than regular fish oil and is a sustainable source of omega 3, whereas regular fish oil is not sustainable.
Olive Oil
A high quality extra virgin olive oil is the only olive oil you want to consume for good health. Olive Oil contains Mono unsaturated fats which offer protective benefits for the heart. Dr Mark Houston, an American Heart specialist whom speaks at Natural Therapies seminars across the world recommends 5 Tablespoon of Olive Oil a day as a part of your overall heart health diet. Be sure to purchase a good quality- organic if possible and pour it over your salad or vegetables once they are on your plate. Olive oil should be kept cold, don’t heat or cook with olive oil, pour it over your vegetables once cooked. Not only will that fill you up, it will assist in the prevention of heart disease- a lot! Olive Oil contains fatty acids that will also help to keep skin supple and soft, and hair shiny and healthy.
Pomegranates
Another food continuously mentioned in a 3-day cardiac seminar I attended was Pomegranate. Rich in Vitamin C, helping collagen production and increases skins capacity to heal. The heart strengthening cardiac benefits of Pomegranates is also well studied.
Parsley
Parsley oozes vitamins and minerals- especially Vitamin C, Iron and Calcium. Aim to get some of this into your diet every day. Luteolin- a flavonoid found in parsley functions as an exceptional antioxidant. It is also a highly alkaline herb with anti inflammatory benefits. Parley seems to hit most nutritional nails on the head- no pay attention to that curly little guy next time you are at your local grocer- Blenders and Juices love Parsley.
Tomatoes
Again- it is the antioxidant power we love. Tomatoes contain an antioxidant called Lycopene and where another food that gained an honourable mentioned a 3-day heart health seminar I attended. This seminar was attended by Medical Drs for Medical Drs, and other health care practitioners such as Naturopaths and Nutritionist. Medical Drs were the main speakers and Nutritional medicine was at the fore front of discussion. It is said that just one tomato per day- but it must be cooked, is enough to assist in prevention of prostate cancers. It is also the Lycopene which will slow cellular damage from free radicals.
It is easy and can be really affordable to get a good mix of nutritional medicine into your each and every day. Everyone has a Nutribullet these days, and if you haven’t got a Nutribullet, then whip out your old blender until you can get one. Just one blended drink a day will increase your energy and nutritive status through the rood. There is no easier way to get your fill of nutritional medicine.
You could try this: Blend the following and drink straight down.
- 1/2 Beetroot
- 1/2 Avocado -monounsaturated healthy fats, don’t be afraid of fats. Fat should be a part of every meal.
- 1 Celery Stalk
- 1 Orange
- 1/4 Lemon
- 3/4 Cup of Pomegranate
- 1/4 of a small- small! red chilli
- 2 cups of coconut water
Throw it all in and blend. Sooo good.
