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Heart Disease
According to the American
Heart Association, the term "Heart Disease" is used to describe a variety
of problems that can affect our hearts. The most visible effect of heart disease
is heart attack. The most common type of heart disease is Coronary Heart Disease
(CHD). CHD occurs when substances, like cholesterol, build up in the arteries
that carry blood to the heart and block or slow the flow of blood and oxygen to
it. To learn more about risk factors for heart disease, click
here.
Everyone has cholesterol, it's an important part of a healthy body. The problem
is that in most cases, our bodies produce all the cholesterol we need. Foods derived
from animal fats like red meat or butter are high in saturated fat, which introduces
"bad" cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) into the blood stream. This
type of cholesterol is considered bad because it sticks to artery walls, which
can clog them.
Foods derived from plant materials such as corn, canola and other vegetable oils
like Mazola are high in unsaturated fat, "good" fats. This keeps cholesterol moving
through the blood stream and into the liver to be disposed of. Diets rich in unsaturated
or "good" fats can help to lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL).
To learn more about the differences between LDL and HDL, click here.
To reduce your risk of heart disease, the American Heart Association suggests you:
- Get regular cholesterol screenings
- Eat a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Follow recommendations of your healthcare provider
To learn more about how changing your diet can positively affect your heart health, visit www.americanheart.org.
For tools to help you assess your risk and track your health information, click
here.
Which Oil Should I Use?
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