Diet for Heart Disease

The fundamental factor in all heart diseases is the diet.



A corrective diet designed to alter body chemistry and improve the quality of general nutritional intake can, in many cases, reverse the degenerative changes, which have occurred in the heart and blood vessels.

Diet for Heart Disease:

The diet should be lacto-vegetarian, low in sodium "lid calories. It should consist of high quality, natural organic foods, with emphasis on whole grains, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods which should be eliminated are all white flour products, sweets, cl1ocolates, canned foods in syrup, soft drinks, squashes, all hard fats of animal origin such as butter, cream and fatty meats. Salt and sugar should be reduced substantially.

Most flesh foods have high sodium content and "lime meats are also very fatty. They are also highly acid-forming and create a high level of toxic matter in the system. They should be avoided by patients with a heart disease. The patient should also avoid tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco. Tea and coffee Contain caffeine wl'1.ich has a toxic effect on the heart and. Nervous system. Caffeine is a strong cardiac stimulant, which if taken regularly can use palpitation or disturbances of he1jrt rhythm.

Alcohol damages the liver and over stimulates the heart.



It also alters the blood sugar level and depletes the body's vitamin B reserve. Nicotine has a toxic irritant effect on the heart muscles and disturbs the blood sugar level.

The diet of the patient with heart disease should consist of nutrients as near to their whole natural state as possible so as to ensure an adequate intake of the essential vitamins minerals and trace elements. Fruits and Vegetables should form a large part of the diet and should be taken in their fresh raw state whenever possible. Grapes and apples are particularly beneficial. The essen¬tial fatty acids, which reduce serum cholesterol levels and minimise the risk of arterioscelerosis can be obtained from sunflower seed oil corn oil or safflower oil. Several studies have indicated that garlic can reduce the cholesterol level in persons whose body normally cannot regulate it. Another important cholesterol lowering herb is alfalfa. Lecithin helps prevent fatty deposits in arteries. Best food sources are unrefined raw crude vegetable oils seeds and grains.

Patients with heart disease should increase their intake of foods rich in vitamin E as this vitamin promotes heart functioning by improving oxygeneration of the cells. It also improves the circulation and muscle strength.



Many whole meal products and green vegetables particularly the outer leaves of cabbage are good sources of vitamin E. The vitamin B group is important for heart and circulatory disorders. The best sources of vitamin B are whole grains.

Vitamin C is also essential as it protects against spon¬taneous breaks in capillary walls, which can lead to heart attacks. It also guards against high blood cholesterol. The stress of anger fear disappointment and similar emo¬tions can raise blood fat and cholesterol levels immediately. But this reaction to stress can do little harm if the diet is adequate in vitamin C and panthothenic acid. The richest sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits.

The following is the suggested diet for persons suffering from some disorder of the heart:

Upon arising: Lukewarm water with lemon juice and honey. Breakfast: Fresh fruits such as apples, grapes, pears, ""aches, pineapples, oranges, melons, one or two slices of whole meal bread and skimmed milk.

Mid-morning: Fresh fruit juice or coconut water.

Lunch: Combination salad of vegetables such as lettuces, cabbage, endive, carrots, cucumber, beetroot, tomato, onion and garlic, one or two slices of whole meal bread or wheat tortilla and curd.

Mid-afternoon: Fresh fruit juice.

Dinner: Fresh vegetable juice or soup, two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables, one or two whole wheat wheat tortilla, and a glass of buttermilk.

The patient should also pay attention to other laws of nature for health building such as taking moderate exercise, getting proper rest and sleep, adopting the right mental altitude and getting fresh air and drinking pure water.

TREATMENT CHART FOR HEART DISEASE

A - DIET

I, An all-fruit diet for three to five days, with three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals and use warm water enema to cleanse the bowels.

II. Thereafter, adopt a well-balanced diet on the following lines:

1. Upon arising: A glass of lukewarm water with half a freshly squeezed lime and a teaspoon of honey.

2. Breakfast: Fresh fruits and skimmed milk, sweetened with honey.

3. Lunch: A bowl of freshly prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole-wheat wheat tortilla and a glass of buttermilk.

4. Mid-afternoon: Vegetable or fruit juice or coconut water.

5. Dinner: Fresh green vegetables salad and sprouts with lemon juice dressing. Follow it by a hot course, if desired.

6. Bedtime Snack: A glass of milk or one apple.

B - RULES FOR EATING

1. Do not take water with meals, but half an hour before or an hour after a meal.
2. Eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly and never eat to full stomach.
3. Restrict the intake of salt.
4. Take liberally foods rich in vitamin E.

B- OTHER MEASURES

1. Apply a hot compress on the left side of the neck for 30 minutes every alternate day and hot packs on the chest over the heart for one minute. Followed by cold pack for
Five minutes.
2. Practise yogic asanas like Shavasana, Vajrasana and gomekhasana.
3. Moderate exercise like walking.
4. Massage of the abdomen and upper back muscles once a week.
5. Fresh air and right mental attitude.