The cardiovascular dilemma

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. By following a healthy diet, maintaining optimal weight and participating in regular physical activity, we can lower our risk and begin a path to prevention.

Fat gets a lot of attention for many good reasons. The wrong types of fats are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. It is important to realize that some fats are essential nutrients and support your health goals. Understanding the difference between good and bad fats is a step towards better health.

Bad Fats:

Saturated fats are generally known as bad fats, most common found in animal products like beef and dairy. Trans fats are chemically modified fats that are created by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils, which makes them more solid. Research shows that trans fats have a negative impact on heart health.

Good Fats:

Unsaturated fats are generally known as good fats and are found in plants, nuts and plant oils. Monosaturated fats help lower bad cholesterol and increase your healthy cholesterol. Polyunsaturated fats help lower bad cholesterol but too much can lower the good cholesterol, that your bod needs.

For many years, the American Heart Association has recommended that people consume fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week. Fish oils have been clinically demonstrated to provide a host of benefits that successfully promote cardiovascular health. Fish oil helps maintain normal cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure levels, helps maintain healthy levels of C-reactive protein, helps maintain normal blood flow and helps enchase mood.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),"Nutrition is the foundation for health and development. Better nutrition means stronger immune systems, less illness and better health. Healthy children learn better. Healthy people are stronger, more productive, and more able to create opportunities to gradually break the cycles of both poverty and hunger in a sustainable way. Better nutrition is a prime entry point to ending poverty and a milestone to achieving a better quality of life."

Vitamins and minerals help to support a healthy immune system , promotes the conversation of food into energy, support a healthy cardiovascular system, support strong bones, promote mental clarity, maintain normal metabolic functioning, promote healthy growth and repair of tissues, help maintain normal blood pressure nd help maintain water and electrolyte balance in the body. There is no substitute for a healthy, well-balanced diet; in today's fast-paced lifestyles, it is important to ensure the body is getting the fuels it needs.