Vitamin Information Center

Cardiovascular Diseases
Definition
Cardiovascular disease is the general term for several
chronic diseases concerning the heart and circulatory
system. The major cardiovascular diseases (CVD)
are coronary (or ischemic) heart disease (heart attack),
cerebrovascular disease (stroke), hypertension (high
blood pressure), heart failure and rheumatic heart disease.
According to the WHO, CVD made up almost 17
million (19%) of total global deaths of which around
80% occurred in low and middle-income countries. It is
expected that CVD will be the leading cause of death
in developing countries by 2010. Several risk factors
exist for CVD which can be categorized in unmodifiable
factors (e. g. male, gender and heredity) and modifiable
factors (e. g. cigarette smoking, high blood pressure,
high blood cholesterol levels, physical inactivity,
diabetes and obesity). It is estimated that more than
50% of the deaths and disabilities from heart disease
and stroke could be avoided with effective prevention
efforts targeted at reducing the modifiable risk factors.

Advertisements for the acai berry are all over the Internet. This miracle fruit from South America was hailed as the number one super food on the planet for its exceedingly high nutritional content. Acai berries are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that no other fruit can provide. Among the most important acai health benefits is its ability to fight obesity.

Acai is rich in dietary fiber — a type of carbohydrate from plant materials that are indigestible to humans. Fiber moves food down your digestive track faster and smoother. It also keeps your stomach lining and intestines free of toxins.

However, Americans consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels required for good health. In fact, with the youth’s alarming dependence on fast food, this value dips to as low as 20%, heavily contributing to the obesity crisis in the US.

Fiber from vegetables, fruit, grain, and legumes can reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and digestive disorders such as constipation, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and colon cancer.

Legumes, wheat bran, prunes, Asian pears, raspberries and blackberries are among the most fiber-rich foods on the planet. But sitting at the top of the list is the acai berry, which, according to two research groups, contains 25-44% of dietary fiber in its pulp.

Acai berries are also loaded with amino acids. These little proteins energize your body so you can perform physical tasks such as brisk walking and cardio workouts. Acai contains more than a dozen different kinds of amino acids, making it the best single source of this important building block.

Whereas obesity is a result of accumulating bad fat, acai berries counter this with a generous amount of good fat — specifically Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. Omega fatty acids found in acai negate the effects of bad cholesterol while maintaining good cholesterol.

Make no mistake — obesity can kill you! It can lead to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, migraines, and debilitating back pain. The acai berry alone will not cure all your health issues. It should be taken with proper nutritional diet and regular exercise. But a heaping helping of acai health benefits can be your first big step towards keeping fit.

In a 1996 survey, however, when 1,009 Americans were asked which of five foods–lettuce, asparagus, navy beans, brown rice, and oatmeal–provided the best source of cholesterol-fighting soluble fiber, many missed the mark. While Americans may know they need fiber, they aren’t getting enough fiber in their diets is an essential element of a healthy diet.Some fibers are soluble in water and others are insoluble. As it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, soluble fiber binds to dietary cholesterol, helping the body to eliminate it. Antioxidants help prevent cholesterol from being moved out of the blood and into the lining of the blood vessels.

Weight loss is reverting back to a fiber diet. Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables, and grain products that contain fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The following is a guideline for your cholesterol levels. Acceptable blood cholesteral-180-199. Borderline high blood cholesterol-200-219. 220 or higher-then your blood cholesterol level is too high. If your total blood cholesterol level is greater than 200 (and especially if it is over 220), you should have another test to see what type of cholesterol is high. Fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed grain products such as whole-grain breads and cereals are naturally low in fat, cholesterol-free, but rich in starches and dietary fiber. Including more starches and fiber in your diet can help you lower your cholesterol level as well as reduce your risk for obesity, cancer, high blood pressure and other maladies.

This information will guide you towards a fiber rich liquid vitamin with a minimum of 4 grams of fiber per ounce. Do not ignore this, as it is the basis for good health and well being! Today’s liquid vitamin nutrition is essential for protecting you & your family against disease.

In a 1996 survey, however, when 1,009 Americans were asked which of five foods–lettuce, asparagus, navy beans, brown rice, and oatmeal–provided the best source of cholesterol-fighting soluble fiber, many missed the mark. While Americans may know they need fiber, they aren’t getting enough fiber in their diets is an essential element of a healthy diet.Some fibers are soluble in water and others are insoluble. As it passes through the gastrointestinal tract, soluble fiber binds to dietary cholesterol, helping the body to eliminate it. Continue Reading…