February is National Heart Month. A time to educate yourself on heart disease, the health of your heart, and preventing problems in the future.

Cholesterol plays an important role in our bodies. In fact, our  liver produces approximately 75%  of our bodies total cholesterol, the rest we obtain through food. Our livers produce both “good” cholesterol, HDL and “bad” cholesterol, LDL. High levels of cholesterol can be genetic, as well as a symptom of unhealthy eating habits. LDL is also found in saturated fats and trans fats, two ingredients common in processed foods.

Without proper elimination, cholesterol can build up in your body, being reabsorbed in to the blood. This buildup puts strain on both the heart and liver. To avoid such a buildup, a diet rich in fiber is key. Both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber are necessary for proper elimination of excess cholesterol and toxins. Soluble fiber passes through the gastrointestinal tract absorbing toxins, while insoluble fiber (or roughage) doesn’t break down, and cleans out toxins as it passes through the GI tract.

Do your heart a favor and increase your fiber intake. The following is a list of just a few High Fiber foods that can help your body to get rid of toxins and increase overall health!

• Sweet Potato– a good source for Vitamin A, and C,  potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
• Acorn Squash– easy to digest and low in carbs, also a great source for Vitamins A, C and B.
• Orange–  high in Vitamins C, A, B-2, and B-6, many essential minerals, particularly potassium. High in fruit carbohydrates, oranges are a highly usable form of energy and will not store as fat.
• Kiwi–  a good source for Vitamin A and C, Potassium, calcium, and protein.

Written by CB