A healthy diet can be good for your heart as well as your waistline.

“You can definitely reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by eating certain foods every day,” says preventive cardiology dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. “There is a great variety of fruits and vegetables that are good for your heart.”

“Try to eat foods that are in their natural form, as they come from the ground,” Zumpano says, recommending the “whole-foods diet.”

That diet includes, of course, heart-healthy foods such as nuts, fish, whole grains, olive oil, vegetables, and fruits, but don’t be afraid to treat yourself occasionally with a glass of red wine or a piece of dark chocolate, Zumpano says. She suggests using this list as a guide to create meals and snacks with a healthy focus. Just a few simple swaps could make a big difference in your cardiovascular health.

12 foods that are good for your heart

• Eat fish high in omega-3s, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, and trout.

• A handful of healthy nuts such as almonds or walnuts will satisfy your hunger and help your heart.

• Berries are chock full of heart-healthy phytonutrients and soluble fiber. Try blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or raspberries in cereal or yogurt.

• Seeds. Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and phytoestrogens to boost heart health. Take them in ground or milled form to reap the greatest benefit. Chia seeds also provide omega 3, fiber, and protein and can be eaten whole. 

• Oats are the comfort-food nutrient powerhouse. Try toasting oats to top yogurt, salads or to add into a trail mix if you are not a fan of them cooked.

• Legumes. Dried beans and lentils ― such as garbanzo, pinto, kidney, or black beans, are high in fiber, B vitamins, minerals, and other good stuff. Veggie chili, anyone?

• A 4-ounce glass of red wine (up to two for men and one for women per day) can help improve good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

• Soy. Add edamame beans or marinated tofu in a stir-fry with fresh veggies for a heart-healthy lunch or dinner.

• Red, yellow, and orange veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, tomatoes, and acorn squash are packed with carotenoids, fiber, and vitamins to help your heart.

• Green veggies. Popeye was right ― spinach packs a punch! So does kale, Swiss chard, collard/mustard greens and bok choy. Use these sandwiches and salads instead of lettuce. Broccoli and asparagus are filled with mighty nutrients such as vitamins C and E, potassium, folate, calcium and fiber.

• Fruits such as oranges, cantaloupes and papaya are rich in beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium and fiber.

• Dark chocolate is good for your heart health. The higher the percentage of cocoa the better! (The fiber and protein increase with higher cocoa and the sugar decreases). If you are a fan of milk chocolate. start with at least 70% cocoa.

The following is a list of the 9 main benefits of CO Q10

1.It May Help Treat Heart Failure

Heart failure is often a consequence of other heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease or high blood pressure.

These conditions can lead to increased oxidative damage and inflammation of the veins and arteries.

Heart failure occurs when these problems affect the heart to the point that it is unable to regularly contract, relax or pump blood through the body.

To make matters worse, some treatments for heart failure have undesirable side effects, such as low blood pressure, while others could even further reduce CoQ10 levels.

In a study of 420 people with heart failure, treatment with CoQ10 for two years improved their symptoms and reduced their risk of dying from heart problems.

Also, another study treated 641 people with CoQ10 or a placebo for a year. At the end of the study, those in the CoQ10 group had been hospitalized less frequently for worsening heart failure and had fewer serious complications.

It seems that treatment with CoQ10 could assist with restoring optimal levels of energy production, reduce oxidative damage and improve heart function, all of which can aid the treatment of heart failure .

SUMMARY

CoQ10 seems to help treat heart failure by improving heart function, increasing ATP production and limiting oxidative damage.