My Heart, My Health!

-

Benefits of Fibres to the Heart
What is Fibre?

There are two types of fibre- soluble and insoluble but most fibre-rich foods contain some of both. It is also considered either dietary or functional. The dietary kind of fibre is the indigestible part of plants that we eat, like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts. This is obtained naturally from whole foods. The functional kind of fibre is extracted or prepared in a lab. It's the type of fibre that is found in supplements or fibre-enriched foods.

Experts say that it's best to aim for a balanced diet rich with plenty of fibre-laden foods. According to them, it is the whole pattern that seems to have an effect so it is hard to pick out exact foods as food is a complex thing.
Heart-Health Perks

Fibre is mostly associated with a healthy digestive system, but research has shown that it can do a lot more than just keep you regular. Scientists are still trying to figure out how exactly fibre works in the body. Some ways by which it helps your heart are given below:

Lowers cholesterol: Soluble fibre reduces both bad (LDL) and overall cholesterol by binding with cholesterol particles in the digestive system and by driving them out of the body before they are absorbed.

Protects against strokes and diabetes: Stroke and diabetes lead to an increased risk of heart diseases. Fibre-rich whole grains lower the risk of a stroke by up to 36% and the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 30%, as per research.

Reduces blood pressure: In another study, researchers put some people on a high-fibre diet that included lots of whole wheat and whole oats. After 12 weeks they found that the participants had a drop in blood and pulse pressure.

Encourages a healthy weight: Fibre can also become a weight loss weapon as it keeps you full by staving off hunger for a long time.

Longevity: All these benefits add up not only to better heart health but also to a longer life. In a study, researchers had observed a group of people for 9 years. They came to this conclusion that eating lots of fibre lowered the risk of early death among men and women.

Experts say that women under the age of 50 years must get about 25 grams of fibre a day and men must get about 38 grams of fibre. Knowing how fibre guards your heart, you must eat a balanced diet comprising of fibre rich foods like whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables and other nutrients on a regular basis to stay healthy always.

Thanks for reading

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Was He In Error?

-
Image
A Prescriber writing a prescription In my early years of practice, about a decade ago, I had an experience that taught me that it is unwise to follow the path of assumptions. Never assume to know something that you do not or a concept that you are not clear with. Doing this can lead to grave consequences. I was working an evening shift in a retail pharmacy when a client came in with a prescription on which was written the order: - Tabs Amovine i bd X 1/52. Amovine (or Amovin as it is correctly written), is a brand of anti-infective medication by Evans Therapeutics, containing Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid, used for the treatment of bacterial infections. Upon receipt of the prescription, I was not sure what to make of it, but then, I was inclined to interpret the order as follows: - Tabs Avomine i bd X 1/52, all thanks to the style at which prescribers write prescription orders. Amovine is a brand of antihistamine containing Promethazine which is used mainly for the management of nau
Read more

Liver/Kidney Detox

-
Image
Spring is a beautiful season, it’s also the time of year when our immune systems may take a beating. There are many possible reasons for this– stress of the holidays, lack of Vitamin D, the cold– but regardless, it often results in us getting cold or flu-like symptoms. As the saying goes, when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. More specifically, in this case, you make a detox lemonade to put the pep back in your step and boost your immune system. What makes the detox lemonade work so well is the combination of ingredients that go into it. In addition to the immune system boost from the Vitamin C in the lemons, the recipe also includes cayenne pepper and honey. The combined power of these two ingredients works to cut down on inflammation while aiding with digestion as well. Not to mention the cloves and the ginger which both include antioxidants and a range of other benefits! But enough details, you’ll have to try it yourself. Here’s what you’ll need: Ingredients:
Read more

Viral Infections in Children

-
Image
Child Care during the Common Viral Infections Cold and flu are the two most common viral infections affecting children. Unfortunately there isn't any cure for common cold and influenza since most antibiotics doesn't have any effect on these viruses. Antibiotics are only indicated for secondary bacterial infections. As a parent the best you can do is make your baby feel comfortable by ensuring they get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids. How can this be achieved? Relieving A Stuffy Nose • For infants a rubber suction bulb can be used for sucking drainage from the nasal passages. Your child will breathe a lot more freely when the clogged mucus is sucked out from the nose. • Using 1-2 saline drops (saltwater) for each nostril greatly helps in alleviating congested nose. • Place a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in the room of your kid to keep their nasal secretion from drying up. The humidifier would provide the extra moisture which would make your baby more comfo
Read more