Eat Your Way To A Healthier Heart

(NAPSI)-Here's some news that many Americans may find easy to digest: It's possible for people to eat their way to a healthier heart.

As more individuals become educated about the importance of a heart healthy diet and daily exercise, they are learning that some cardiac risk factors, including high cholesterol, can be influenced by dietary changes and healthy lifestyle choices.

"Oatmeal is an example of a cardioprotective food that can help lower your cholesterol in conjunction with a heart healthy lifestyle," says preventative cardiologist Dr. Annabelle Volgman, associate professor of medicine and medical director of the Rush Heart Center for Women at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. "Approximately 80 percent of heart attacks and strokes are preventable if you help monitor the major risk factors--including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history and obesity--with your doctor."

Heart Disease S.O.S.

Volgman advocates the importance of a food-first approach to heart health, and recommends people put a greater emphasis on monitoring their diet and lifestyle. She suggests three easy tips for eating a more heart healthy diet that include incorporating salmon, oatmeal and sterols--or S.O.S.--before heart disease distress signs arise.

• Salmon: Rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which have been shown to help reduce the risk of heart attack and sudden death from heart arrhythmias, omega-3s can also help to reduce triglycerides and lower blood pressure.

• Oatmeal: The soluble fiber in oatmeal soaks up some of the cholesterol like a sponge and removes it from the body. Whether old fashioned, quick, instant or steel cut, oatmeal is always a whole grain and all forms provide cholesterol-lowering benefits.

In fact, Quaker Oatmeal has more than 25 years of clinical proof that the soluble fiber in oatmeal can help lower cholesterol as part of a heart healthy diet. Along with clinical proof, Quaker is celebrating the fact that everyday, real people are committing to becoming living proof--and eating Quaker Oatmeal as part of a heart healthy lifestyle to help lower cholesterol.

• Sterols: Plant phytosterols may help lower LDL cholesterol levels by blocking its absorption. Sterols are present naturally in small quantities in some vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and legumes. Foods and beverages fortified with sterols are also available.

For additional nutrition tips and heart healthy recipes, visit www.QuakerLivingProof.com.

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