Angina Characteristics and Nutrition
Facts
The arteries that supply blood to the heart are
called the coronary arteries. If the blood vessels to the heart narrow, the
amount of blood the heart receives may be insufficient to provide the oxygen
it needs. This lack of oxygen causes mild or severe pain to the chest area and
is known as Angina Pectoris. Angina is often brought on by exertion or stress
and usually recedes with rest.
Angina can be a warning sign of impending heart
attack. If the coronary arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart
muscle become obstructed, the flow of blood is cut off completely, and a heart
attack will result. The most common causes of obstruction are atherosclerosis
(narrowing of the arteries), and blood clots or thrombus in the presence of
arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Optimum nutrition is the primary prevention for
any of these conditions:
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Vitamin C together with lysine can help reverse
atherosclerosis.
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Antioxidants help prevent damage to the walls
of the blood vessels.
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Fish Oils rich in EPA and DHA thin the blood
and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, whilst Vitamin B3 raises HDL (good) cholesterol.
Good HDL cholesterol is needed to keep bad LDL cholesterol out of the arteries.
(Yes, not all cholesterol is bad!).
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Co-enzyme Q10 increases oxygenation of heart
tissues and has been shown to prevent recurrences in individuals who have
had a heart attack.
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Calcium and Magnesium are both very important
to the proper functioning of the cardiac muscle.
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Chromium reduces blood fats and LDL, whilst
raising HDL.
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Selenium is needed to make the antioxidant glutathione
peroxidase and makes the blood less sticky.
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L-Carnitine reduces fat and triglyceride (fat)
levels in the blood, increases oxygen uptake and stress tolerance.
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Lecithin granules act as a fat emulsifier.
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Angina
Diet advice and nutrition facts
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Invest in a couple of good cookery books which
specialise in healthy, low fat and high-fibre eating. You’ll find some recommendations
below. In the meantime, eat lots of raw and cooked vegetables, high fibre,
liberal amounts of garlic and onion, as well as ginger, brown rice, wholegrains,
and steamed fish (particularly the naturally oily varieties such as mackerel,
salmon, trout, tuna, herring, pilchards and so on).
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Eat a few fresh nuts every day, and one Brazil
nut per day for the selenium. Other protein options are skinless chicken
and turkey.
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Keep your weight down. Obesity is a risk factor
for heart attacks and high blood pressure.
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Get regular, moderate exercise after consulting
with your doctor.
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Learn relaxation techniques if stress is an
issue.
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Health
Supplements for Angina
(Click on the supplement to go there.)
If weight loss is required:
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AquaSource Lighten-Up meal replacement. This is a very tasty drink,
containing Klamath Lake blue-green algae, L-Carnitine and Chromium, among
other beneficial things. No added sugar or artificial anything.
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