This little-known diet reduces risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke
What diet is good for the heart and blood vessels (photo: Freepik)
To keep your heart healthy, you should follow the portfolio diet. Increasingly, this type of diet is advised by healthcare professionals to ensure a satisfactory state of the cardiovascular system, reports Health Harvard.
What is known about the diet
The portfolio diet was developed by a Toronto doctor to lower bad cholesterol (LDL). It is a type of diet low in saturated fat.
The diet is based on vegetable proteins, fiber-rich foods, and phytosterols, which naturally lower cholesterol.
Unlike the Mediterranean diet, the portfolio diet is completely vegan.
If you decide to follow this diet, you just need to find out which foods have a healthy effect on blood lipids and choose them over other foods.
What foods are included in the diet
Eating more of these foods regularly can help lower bad lipids in your blood:
- Vegetable proteins, such as soy, beans, tofu, peas, nuts, and seeds
- High-fiber foods such as oats, barley, berries, apples and citrus fruits
- Phytosterols, which are a natural compound in plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts
- Vegetable oils high in monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, avocado oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil
What foods to exclude from the diet
It is worth highlighting the foods that should be avoided when following the portfolio diet:
- red meat
- highly processed foods
- refined grains and added sugars, which can contribute to chronic inflammation
- butter, cream, and other dairy products high in saturated fat and cholesterol
Why is the diet useful
Researchers have determined that this diet can improve blood lipids and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Of course, diet is not the only way to improve cardiovascular health and overall health. To be healthy, you need to:
- not to smoke
- engage in regular physical activity
- Monitor blood pressure and weight
Earlier, we reported on the diet that is good for the brain and protects against cancer.
We also wrote about 5 important reasons why diets end in failure and weight gain.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
