Nowadays, more and more people suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, as well as heart problems of various kinds. The cost of treatment for patients with atherosclerotic diseases is rising rapidly, and experts predict that they will triple by 2030. This raises the question: Who is going to pay for this and why are these diseases not declining despite today’s medical possibilities?

The Cause of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases are typical diseases of civilization that are now in first place in the list of the most common causes of death. Actually, this development is completely incomprehensible, because it is well known that diseases such as high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis, which are causally responsible for the development of stroke and heart attack, are so-called diseases of affluence.

And this prosperity goes hand in hand with widespread overeating and malnutrition. So it would only be logical to start at this point preventively, but at the latest in the treatment of existing diseases.

We would therefore like to take this opportunity to inform you about how you can prevent arteriosclerotic diseases – from high blood pressure to stroke or heart attack – through a targeted diet.

Does a modern lifestyle also require modern food?

Nowadays, time flies by. Everything is moving faster and faster and everything is supposed to be bigger, more beautiful and more and more functional.

Regrettably, this evolution extends beyond our dietary choices. In fact, modern food can no longer be associated with the term that once represented a vibrant way of life.

The word fast food is certainly more appropriate here, because it is now mainly about products that fill you up, but above all make you sick. We have to get back to those healthy foods that provide our body with enough nutrients and vital substances so that it can withstand the enormous stresses that today’s times demand.

The quality of our food

The vast majority of the food we consume in the form of canned, bagged, or other ready-to-eat meals consists largely of highly processed, low-quality raw materials.

Through the processing process, nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are denatured and important vital substances such as vitamins, enzymes, secondary plant substances, etc. are no longer present at all, or only in trace amounts.

Our body thus suffers a serious deficiency, which manifests itself in various diseases. The cardiovascular system also reacts naturally to the nutrient and vital substance deficit with corresponding symptoms.

The excessive consumption of refined salt, refined sugar, white flour products and foods contaminated with a wide variety of preservatives, colorings, flavor enhancers, etc. also has negative effects on heart health.

Tips for a heart-healthy diet

Of course, the following tips won’t just help protect your heart and keep it healthy. Your entire organism will benefit from:

• avoiding ready-made products as much as possible.
• Instead, buy seasonal foods from the region, such as fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables.
• If you eat animal products, pay attention to organic, species-appropriate animal husbandry or buy products from pasture farming.
• Use unprocessed rock salt or ancient salt and season your food with fresh herbs as often as possible.
• When using fats, always pay attention to first-class organic quality and consistently avoid hydrogenated fats such as margarine, hydrogenated palm or coconut fat. In finished products, hydrogenated fats are used almost exclusively.
• Replace unhealthy snacks (chips, pretzel sticks, biscuits, etc.) with healthy alternatives such as nuts, almonds, rice cakes, chocolate with a high cocoa content, etc.
• If possible, drink 3 liters of still water a day so that your body can excrete existing harmful substances as quickly as possible.
• “Eat healthy high-fat instead of low-fat”. This recommendation completely contradicts what the vernacular usually thinks is correct, because until now it was considered that a low-fat diet would benefit the health of the heart.

For a while now, it has been established that fat plays a crucial role in supporting proper nutrient metabolism. Insufficient intake of healthy fats can promote chronic inflammation, ultimately resulting in vascular damage and the development of heart disease.

The type of fats consumed is of paramount significance in this regard. Healthy fats, notably top-quality vegetable oils abundant in unsaturated fatty acids, serve as effective safeguards against heart disease. Fats with a high omega-3 content, such as linseed oil and hemp oil, offer substantial heart benefits and should be included in daily dietary habits.

Omega 3 fatty acids

Cold-pressed organic vegetable oils with a high omega 3 content are considered to be extremely valuable oils, especially with regard to heart health. Omega 3 fatty acids are able to keep the vascular walls flexible, support blood circulation, inhibit the formation of blood clots and reduce inflammatory processes in the body.

Of course, the cardiovascular system benefits first and foremost from these wonderful properties. Therefore, the use of an omega 3-rich vegetable oil is highly recommended, especially in the case of pre-existing heart problems.

Since the positive properties of omega-3 fatty acids also have effects on other areas of the body, the use of these oils is generally indicated.

However, omega-3-rich oils should never be used exclusively, but always in combination or alternating with other high-quality oils and fats.

Omega 6 fatty acids

People with a predisposition to cardiovascular diseases should avoid vegetable oils with a high omega-6 fatty acid content. The reason for this is the linoleic acid, which is also contained in large quantities in these oils. Consumed in excess, it can trigger inflammatory processes in the body or intensify pre-existing inflammations.

Foods containing linoleic acid should also be avoided. These include, in particular, meat and dairy products. Among the plant oils, sunflower oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and corn germ oil have particularly high omega-6 values.

These oils are also contained in ready meals, sweets, pastries, etc., where they are declared as “vegetable fats”.

Carbohydrates

During the process of digestion, carbohydrates undergo conversion into sugar (glucose). To enable this sugar to ultimately reach our cells for energy conversion, the body requires insulin as a transportation mechanism. The greater the sugar supply, the more insulin the pancreas must produce for effective transportation.

Normally, the insulin level rises slowly when glucose arrives, but also falls again just as slowly due to the transport into the cells.

However, since nowadays we mainly consume simple, very quickly digestible carbohydrates from extract flours or pure sugars and consume them in excess, the pancreas constantly produces maximum amounts of insulin.

This abnormally high insulin level leads to an increase in cholesterol levels and triggers inflammation in the area of the arterial walls. The strain this places on the cardiovascular system is obvious.

Therefore, the recommendation is to avoid all quickly digestible sugars such as white flour products (bread, cakes, biscuits, etc.), refined sugar and all products made from it. Use whole flour, eat high-fiber foods, and preferably use alternative sugar products (stevia, xylitol, dried fruits).

Recommended Heart-Healthy Foods

Below we have compiled an overview of the most important foods for your heart:

Blueberries and currants

Blueberries and currants contain substances (anthocyanosides) that protect blood vessels from deposits and can thus counteract the dreaded arteriosclerosis.

Watermelons and honeydew melons

These sweet fruits have a very positive effect on the fluidity of the blood. They prevent platelets from sticking together and thus prevent blood clots from forming.

Carrots

Cholesterol levels can be very positively affected by eating raw carrots. Therefore, eat about 200g of freshly grated carrots daily (add a few drops of a good oil).

Oats and Barley

Oats and barley have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Oats, in particular, are known to be an effective tonic for the heart and blood vessels.

Walnuts

They contain a balanced nutrient composition, which, together with their good fatty acid ratio, have a very beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. The heart-protective effect of walnuts has already been proven in many clinical studies. The walnut has a blood-thinning effect, which has a particularly positive effect on the supply of vital substances to the heart. Consuming a daily handful of walnuts can significantly benefit your heart.

Mu-Err (Chinese Morel)

Even small amounts of this fungus, which are commonly used in cooking recipes, are enough to prevent platelets from sticking together. Since these mushrooms keep the blood flowing, they are a very good preventive measure against heart attack and stroke.

Ginger

In scientific studies, ginger root has been shown to be a particularly effective anticoagulant. This blood-thinning substance can reduce the formation of blood clots. Therefore, drink ginger water daily, which you should be made with 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger.

Garlic

Raw garlic is known for its blood-thinning and cholesterol-lowering effects, making it an important food for your heart health. However, 2 to 3 tablespoons daily (depending on the weight of the person) should be consumed. Because of the unpleasant garlic smell, correspondingly high-quality garlic capsules can also be used.

Onions

While onions have long been hailed as a remedy for various ailments, they are particularly crucial for maintaining a robust cardiovascular system. In addition to thinning blood, lowering cholesterol, increasing HDL cholesterol, and reducing blood clots, onions can also regulate blood sugar levels. By eating a large onion every day, you are already contributing a lot to your heart health.

Freshly squeezed juices protect and strengthen your heart

Foods in their raw, uncooked state, preserving their natural enzymatic structure, play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy heart. Consequently, incorporating daily consumption of freshly squeezed juices and green smoothies is highly recommended.

Both food preparations provide your body with an abundance of easily digestible nutrients and vital substances. Your body will thank you with improved physical and mental health.

One of the best juice combinations for a strong heart is carrots and celery. Beets contain certain nutrients that naturally lower blood pressure, while carrots benefit your body in the regeneration of skin and body tissues.

Celery, in turn, also helps lower blood pressure. In addition, it stimulates the relaxation of the arterial muscles and thus improves vasodilation. This minimizes the risk of blood clots forming, which ultimately contribute to the development of heart attacks and strokes.

Our advice: change your diet

The conventional diet is extremely high in carbohydrates. Just think of the many breads, cakes, pasta, pizzas, etc., which are not “only” consumed every day, but also in absolute excess.

These amounts of carbohydrates put a strain not only on the cardiovascular system but also on the entire organism. Therefore, a high-carbohydrate diet makes everyone sick – some earlier and others a little later.

Instead of carbohydrates, you should focus on consuming high-quality vegetable proteins and fats. For the health of your heart, there is no better diet than one that has a high nutrient density on a plant-based basis. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and sprouts are particularly worth mentioning here.

In addition to nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, plant-based foods contain a variety of easily bioavailable vitamins (especially vitamin C), minerals, enzymes and secondary plant substances. Especially when consumed in raw form, these valuable vital substances are fully available to your body.

If you don’t want to give up meat, you should make sure that it comes from pasture-raised or certified organic farming and should only be consumed rarely and in small quantities (100gr). The same goes for eating fish. The fish should also be of the best quality.

If you follow our recommendations consistently, you won’t have to worry about your heart in the future.