Natural Nutrition For Heart Failure

When the heart is rendered incapable of pumping adequate amount of blood to various parts of the body, the condition is termed as heart failure and sometimes congestive heart failure. resulting in its poor functioning and decreased blood flow.The end result could range from stroke to liver and kidney damage.Heart failure can well be treated with certain nutritional and lifestyle changes as stated below.

What Not To Eat

Sodium

Most doctors recommend that heart failure patients reduce their sodium intake. Sodium makes the body retain excessive water that would result in poor functioning of the heart. Sodium intake should be restricted to 2000mg per day. However, depending on the criticality of the heart condition, your doctor might reduce the intake even more.

Fat

One of the most common causes of heart failure is narrowing down of arteries. Saturated fat is the main culprit behind this. In general cases, saturated fat intake is limited to 7% of calorie intake every day. On the other hand, trans fats should be limited to just 1% of calorie intake. In addition, the cholesterol intake should be limited to below 300mg on daily basis.

Fluids

Similar to sodium, fluids such as alcohol can result in excessive water in the body.Owing to this the body will have to work even harder to pump blood to different parts.According to American Heart Association, alcohol intake should be limited to not more than 2 glasses for men and just 1 glass for women on daily basis. In addition, heart failure patients should limit caffeine-containing beveragessuch as coffee to just 2 cups on daily basis.

What To Eat

Diet

A diet rich in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables is the best way to keep heart failure at bay. Whole grains too should also be a major component of such a diet. Dairy products should be low in fat content. Potassium rich foods such as spinach, sweet potatoes, bananas, dry fruits and potatoes should also be included.
Potassium balances out sodium content in the body and ensures normal heart beat.Make sure that your list of dry fruits includes apricots, raisins and prunes; vegetables include tomatoes and beets; fresh fruits include watermelon and strawberries; and fresh meats include beef, fish and turkey.

Vitamins

Vitamin D reduces inflammation, advances insulin sensitivity and brings blood pressure to normal levels. Also, Vitamin D prevents heart muscles from contracting and hence stop conditions leading to heart failure. The best source of Vitamin D is natural sunlight. Fish oil also provides adequate Vitamin D to the body.
Deficiency in Vitamin C weakens arterial walls and hence is related to heart diseases. Sources of Vitamin C are orange, guava, kiwi, etc.

Vitamin B6

keeps homocysteine at normal levels in the body and hence prevents heart failure. Sources of Vitamin B6 are tuna, salmon, cod, banana, turkey, etc.

Anthocyanidins

Anthocyanidins dilate the blood vessels ensuring free flow of blood to various parts of the body. This prevents conditions like stroke and heart failure. Some good sources of anthocyanidins are eggplant, red cabbage, grapes and almost all fruits and vegetables that are blue or purple in color.