by Virginia Gaces

Created on: September 20, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2011

There are various nutrients for a healthy heart if only people are made aware of them. These nutrients actually occur in fresh, simple unprocessed food all around you.

When do you say that a heart is healthy? It is considered healthy when the ventricles, auricles, the blood vessels and arteries are functioning normally.

The heart is the main organ that pumps blood in and out of the veins. The heart is the center of the circulatory system, a system responsible in the circulation of blood in the body.

These different parts of the circulatory system must be free from lipid and triglyceride (fat) deposits and from emboli or clots so that they could function normally. The presence of emboli or fat deposits will block the vessels and arteries resulting to myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cardiovascular attack (stroke).

One way you can maintain a healthy heart is by avoiding fats, salts and eating the right nutrients.

The following are considered nutrients for a healthy heart:

1. Vitamins E, C.

These are found in fruits and vegetables. These act as antioxidants and help lower the concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol, the major substances responsible for plaque formation in the heart and blood vessels.

2. Oil coming from fish and vegetables

This type of oil has Omega 3 which protects the heart from bad cholesterol (LDL low density cholesterol) and other heart ailments.

3. Minerals

Minerals like calcium, magnesium, selenium are found also in fruits and vegetables. These minerals have vital functions in the heart's contraction and pumping process.

4. Green Tea

This contains polyphenol and other important ingredients which prevent clot or emboli formation in blood vessels; hence, preventing heart attack or myocardial infarctions.

Aside from this, it has been proven to decrease the incidence of cancer and helps in the management of diabetes mellitus.

5. Red wine

Red wine can lower levels of triglyceride and bad cholesterol, when taken in moderation.

This is because of the phenolic component of red wine which has also an antioxidant property thereby helping in the reduction of lipids in the body.

6. Oat fiber (whole grain food)

Oat meals are rich in fiber and low in fat, which is precisely what the heart needs. This type of diet prevents lipid or fat formation in the blood vessels and promotes good circulation as blood vessels' integrity is good.

Not only that, whole grain food like oat meals are good alternative in weight reducing programs and in the management of diabetic and hypertensive patients.

In conclusion, fruits and vegetables comprise a large percentage of nutrients for the heart. That is why doctors always advice:" Eat your veggies and take in those fruit juices."

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