Five Natural Ways To Reduce Inflammation And Improve Your Heart Health

Oxidation and free radical damage are natural occurrences as our bodies are subjected to toxins and stressors from everything we encounter. From the air we breathe and exposure to the sun to the man made chemicals we find in our clothes, cars and food, to the energy created by our thoughts and the influence of the people we interact with every day. When oxidation occurs, and it always will as such toxins and stressors are hardly avoidable, our bodies respond in the best way they know how: they reach for protective resources from within our bodies to combat the damage and maintain our health. If these resources are unavailable inflammation will occur. Why is this significant? Among other illnesses such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation has been directly linked to heart disease and increases the risk of heart attack.

So what can you do? Diet plays a crucial role in preventing oxidation and free radical damage, which will prevent and reduce inflammation and help you keep your heart (and whole body!) healthy. Here are five ways to reduce inflammation and improve your heart health:

1 – Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, veggies, beans and legumes which will provide the fiber, antioxidants, vitamins & minerals your body needs to combat oxidation.

2 – Get your fill of Omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish. Flax and wheat germ are great sources too and are also high in fiber & rich in vitamin E for more anti-oxidant power.

3 – Eliminate table salt and high sodium foods which increase blood pressure and switch to light use of natural sea salt, which contains minerals such as potassium, which naturally balance the sodium and supply nutrients your body needs. Avocados are also high in potassium, which helps regulate heart rhythm and blood pressure. 

4 – Reduce or eliminate stimulants such as coffee & black tea, tobacco, alcohol, large amounts of protein and sugar.

5 – Control your weight with a low glycemic diet, which will reduce inflammation in a myriad of ways, including balancing blood sugar levels, stabilizing your hormones and minimizing processed and refined foods in your diet.