The Best Group of Foods for Cardiovascular Health

Nutritionists say that the best foods for preventing and fighting cancer are the cruciferous vegetables or cabbage family vegetables which include cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale and collard greens.. Cancer is the second leading cause of death of Americans.

The best food group for helping with cardiovascular problems is berries.
The botanical definition of a berry is a simple fruit produced from a single ovary, such as a tomato. In everyday English, this means a berry is a term for any small edible fruit. I will use the everyday meaning. Heart attacks and strokes are the first and third leading cause of death among Americans.

The Doctrine of Signatures states that an herb, botanical or plant food sometimes gives a clue about what it is good for by its appearance like a walnut looking like a brain or like ginseng root looking like a human body.. Berries are also great at preventing cancer.

Berries are the same color as blood. Oxygenated blood is red, but blood without oxygen can appear blueish or purple. Look at the veins of someone with varicose veins. Besides red berries like cranberries, cherries and raspberries there are darker color berries like acai berries, yumberries, blueberries and aronia berries that are said to improve circulation and strengthen blood vessels.

Strawberries are said to help lower high blood pressure (hypertension) and are a good example of the Doctrine of Signatures. It is red and is shaped like a heart. One newer red berry that is very good for cardiovascular health is the goji berry. Here is what webmd.com says about it:

"Research shows that eating berries -- like blueberries, acai berries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries -- offers some definite health benefits. Berries like the goji berry are filled with powerful antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent cancer and other illnesses, including heart disease."

Berries have different anthocyans (a group of phytochemicals) in them that strengthens the inner lining of the arteries. Superfoods Rx (2008) by Steven Pratt, M.D. says (p 28) "The anthocyans also work synergistically with vitamin C and other key antioxidants. They strengthen the capillary (tiny blood vessel) system by promoting the production of quality collagen-- the building block of tissues. This important subclass of flavonoids also promotes vasodilation (widening of arteries) and has an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation-- an aspirin-like effect on blood clot formation."

Here is information on bilberries. It says that it is a vasodilator so it widens the blood vessels so the blood pressure is lower. It is a rich source of anthocyanidins, which gives it the unique ability to stabilize and protect collagen stores. This helps it to prevent capillary leakage and hemorrhage.

Bilberry is currently being used to treat vascular and blood disorders, and is a main ingredient in the treatment of many visual problems. It has even been proven effective for varicose veins, thrombosis, diabetes, macular degeneration, and angina.

Containing over 15 different anthocyanosides, bilberry protects the veins and arteries, as it boosts a great deal of physiological processes that results in the improved integrity of capillary walls. Common problems with arteries include angina, congestive heart failure, intermittent claudication, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), strokes and heart attacks.

A red berry that is great for cardiovascular health is is the red hawthorn berry. It is not sold as a berry in stores. I have only seen it sold in capsules or as a tea. Most herbalists know that it is the ultimate herb for heart health or cardiovascular health among the American herbs that lowers blood pressure and dissolves cholesterol.

Article Source: http://www.cursebustersound.com/article

Chuck Bluestein, the author, was a chemist. Currently, he is an herbalist, nutritionist and studies the healing ability of foods. See his free information website www.phifoundation.org/cardiovascular-health.html on losing weight, fasting, Lemonade Diet, natural cures, health, healing, happiness, and Cardiovascular Health. Visit The Best Group of Foods for Cardiovascular Health.

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