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Each year, more than 16 million people all over the world die from cardiovascular disease, and this disease is also the cause of more than 30% of all deaths world wide. Just in the U.S. alone, heart disease and strokes are the cause of more than 40% of all adult deaths. In 2006, more than 450,000 coronary bypass surgeries were performed in US hospitals, followed by more than 2,000 heart transplant surgeries in 2007. There are a number of risk factors for heart disease, including:
- Smoking
- Diet and weight
- Level of activity
- Gender
- Family history
- Other
Family history of heart disease is a risk for many people developing it, and it can also increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, even if you do not fall into any of the other risk categories. Those who are overweight are at a great risk for heart disease, especially heart disease that is caused by clogged arteries. Those who have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 27 or higher are at the greatest risk for heart disease, even if they do not have any of the other risk factors. And, you are at a greater risk for heart disease if most of your weight is above the hips.
In order to decrease the risk of heart disease, it is necessary to maintain a healthy diet, and make sure that you get enough exercise every day. It is actually recommended that people get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and this can be as easy as going for a walk through the neighborhood. Before beginning any sort of exercise program, you really should speak to your physician, to make sure that the exercises you are doing are going to help, and not harm you, especially if you have any physical limitations. Some exercises your physician may suggest include swimming and yoga.
A healthy, well-balanced diet is also necessary to lessen the risk of heart disease. Again, it is essential that you discuss dietary changes with your physician before going out and doing something that may not be healthy for you. It is important that you get all of the nutrients you need to stay healthy. If you are looking for a healthy diet to follow, visit the American Heart Association website to learn more about the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
If you are a smoker, it is also a good idea to try to quit, because smoking plays a huge role in heart disease and can lead to heart attacks and strokes, not to mention a host of other health problems. And, if you are a smoker and have some of the other risk factors, your chances of developing heart disease increase even more. As an example, women who smoke are five times more likely to develop heart disease than women who do not smoke.
In the past, many people believed that men were more likely to develop heart disease than women, but we now know that it is also prevalent in women, although usually when they are older, such as over the age of 65. Heart disease claims more female lives than breast cancer.
Another health issue that can greatly increase the risk of heart disease is diabetes. It damages the arteries, raises blood pressure, and can even worsen cholesterol levels. It is also important that women who are menopausal are at a higher risk for heart disease, and it may be necessary to take estrogen to lessen the risk.
A Healthy Diet Can Help You Stop Heart Disease Before It Starts
Women who eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, such as the DASH diet, have a lower risk of developing heart disease or having strokes. This diet plan is based on eating healthy proteins (plant instead of animal-based), such as vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy products. It is essential that protein be included in any diet, as it is a macronutrient that is necessary for our survival. There are a number of dietary sources that provide plenty of protein, including milk and milk products, soy, rice and eggs, and it is important to try and include these foods into your diet. If this is not possible, there are many protein supplements that can be used, which can add protein to any meal, or, even be a meal replacement when necessary.
Some of the protein supplements that are available on the market today include whey, soy and rice.
Whey Protein - This is a milk derivative, and a byproduct of the cheese-making process. It is a complete protein, but may not be ideal for those who are lactose intolerant, or are allergic to milk and milk products.
Soy Protein - This is also a complete protein and ideal for vegetarians.
Rice Protein - This protein is excellent for everyone. It is hypoallergenic as well as being vegetable-based, so it is excellent for vegetarians.
Types of Protein Supplements
There are many different types of protein supplements available, and the one you choose really depends on your needs. If you like shakes and smoothies, you may want to try one of the many protein powders. You can get these made with whey, casein, soy, rice and egg proteins, and they are available in flavored and unflavored versions. Use the unflavored ones to add protein to any of your favorite recipes, and the flavored ones are ideal for making protein shakes and smoothies.
Another type of protein supplement that is really growing in popularity is the liquid protein shot, which is small and portable, so it can be taken anywhere.
Of course, if you are going to make any dietary changes, and are thinking about using protein supplements, it is important to discuss it with your physician first, to make sure that you are not going to do anything that will hurt you instead of help you.
About Protica Research
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.
You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com
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