Great job on quitting smoking! That is the number one way you can prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can be caused by hardened or damaged arteries.
What you read about garlic is that it may have some properties that can help with blood cholesterol, but if your cholesterol ratios are healthy and your arteries are damaged from smoking...garlic is unlikely to help: Garlic Does Not Appear to Lower "Bad" Cholesterol.
There is some evidence about Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil that may have some benefits on CVD outcomes: Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Disease. However, the study says, "the optimal quantity and type of omega-3 fatty acid, and the optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid, if any, still remain undefined. ... different types of fish and the method of food preparation may cause different effects."
The other supplement that is discussed to help CVD is flaxseed oil, because it contains ALA. Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil: "Some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid (a substance found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil) may benefit people with heart disease. But not enough reliable data are available to determine whether flaxseed is effective for heart conditions."
What DOES work to help prevent CVD when you have damaged arteries? Good, old-fashioned exercise and healthy eating. Sorry...it's not as much fun, but it works! Quitting smoking is number one, closely followed by increasing your physical activity, eating healthy meals and decreasing stress.
Let us know if you have any additional questions about how to get started on a new lifestyle plan, since you made a giant step already with quitting smoking! We're here to help!
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Great job on quitting smoking! That is the number one way you can prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can be caused by hardened or damaged arteries.
What you read about garlic is that it may have some properties that can help with blood cholesterol, but if your cholesterol ratios are healthy and your arteries are damaged from smoking...garlic is unlikely to help: Garlic Does Not Appear to Lower "Bad" Cholesterol.
There is some evidence about Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil that may have some benefits on CVD outcomes: Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Disease. However, the study says, "the optimal quantity and type of omega-3 fatty acid, and the optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid, if any, still remain undefined. ... different types of fish and the method of food preparation may cause different effects."
The other supplement that is discussed to help CVD is flaxseed oil, because it contains ALA. Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil: "Some studies suggest that alpha-linolenic acid (a substance found in flaxseed and flaxseed oil) may benefit people with heart disease. But not enough reliable data are available to determine whether flaxseed is effective for heart conditions."
What DOES work to help prevent CVD when you have damaged arteries? Good, old-fashioned exercise and healthy eating. Sorry...it's not as much fun, but it works! Quitting smoking is number one, closely followed by increasing your physical activity, eating healthy meals and decreasing stress.
Let us know if you have any additional questions about how to get started on a new lifestyle plan, since you made a giant step already with quitting smoking! We're here to help!
June 27, 2010 - 1:37pmThis Comment
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