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Vitamins
Q: It seems like there are so many vitamin and mineral supplements out there – each of them making different claims for health. How can I know which ones I should be taking and which ones I don’t even need? |
A: The best way to approach dietary supplements is to remember that they are just supplements. They are meant to fill in any nutrient gaps you may have in your dietary choices – they cannot replace a healthy diet. 
Supplements vs. Food | Herbal Medicines and Dietary Supplements |
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Eggs
Q: I’ve heard that eggs are bad for my heart and raise cholesterol; is this true? |
| A: Eggs are a very heart friendly food and really not as terrible for our heart as we may think. There is no one individual food that will single handedly raise cholesterol or cause heart disease; this includes eggs. |
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Nuts
Q: like nuts, but I’ve heard they are really high in fat. Will avoiding nuts help me lower my cholesterol? |
| A: Nuts do contain fat, but the type of fat in nuts is actually a heart healthy fat called a monounsaturated fat which is actually good for your cholesterol. |
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Produce
Q: I have heard that only fresh, raw produce is the best to eat for nutritional value and that cooking vegetables, especially in the microwave, destroys all the vitamins and minerals. Is this true? |
| A: This is a common myth that is very pervasive through out our country. In fact, there are several nutrients, such as the antioxidant family of carotenoids (i.e. beta-carotene and lycopene), which are more available for absorption when the produce is cooked than when it is eaten raw. |
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Fish Oil vs. Flaxseed Oil
Q: My doctor told me to start taking fish oil pills for omega-3 to help keep my heart healthy, but I am afraid that they will taste fishy. Is flaxseed oil just as good? |
| A: Both fish oil and flaxseed oil contain omega-3 fats, but they do not contain the same type of omega-3 fats. |
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Fat and Cholesterol Levels
Q: My doctor told me to start watching the fat in my diet to lower my cholesterol. I have already been watching the cholesterol in foods I eat, what does fat have to do with my blood cholesterol levels? |
| A: Many of us think that by keeping the amount of cholesterol we eat low that we should be able to lower our blood cholesterol levels and protect our arteries from plaque build-up and heart attack. While this may seem to be great logic, in all actuality it is the amount and type of fat you eat each day which will have the greatest impact on your total and LDL cholesterol level. What kinds of fats are there? |
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Red Meats
Q: I was told to stop eating red meat, but is it ok to have steak or a hamburger every once in awhile? |
| A: Actually you can include a wide variety of meats in your diet while trying to lower blood cholesterol as part of a heart healthy diet. |
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Butter vs. Margarine
Q: Which is better - Butter or Margarine? |
| A: When choosing butter, margarine, shortening or spreads, take time to compare brands and choose those lowest in saturated fat with zero trans fats. Comparison Chart |
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Sodium
Q: My doctor has told me to reduce the amount of sodium that I eat to help with my blood pressure. I haven’t been adding salt to my foods for several years, but my blood pressure is still higher than he would like and he still tells me to reduce my sodium intake. Besides not adding salt to foods myself, what else should I do to reduce my sodium intake? |
A: Only about 15% of the sodium that the average American eats each day is what they actually add to their foods, the rest or 85% has been added by food producers and restaurants. This is the “sneaky sodium” that dietitians are always advising their patients about. Living with Low Sodium
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When it comes to your heart health, numbers count. There are the standard ranges of measurements for cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, weight and body mass index all of which play a role in keeping your heart in tip-top shape. Once you've been told your numbers, compare them with these charts. By knowing where your numbers are and where they should be, you'll be more prepared to meet your goals!
