Health foods for patients with cardiovascular diseases

Corn has the effect of preventing vascular hardening. Corn contains 5 to 6 times more fat and magnesium than rice and flour. The linoleic acid content in its fat is over 60%, and it also contains vitamin E, lecithin, etc. It has the functions of lowering serum cholesterol, preventing and treating hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and preventing cell aging and brain function decline. Magnesium can help dilate blood vessels and maintain the normal function of the heart muscle. Oats, commonly known as naked oats, contain 15% protein and 9% fat, ranking first among grains. It is also rich in linoleic acid, various enzymes, soluble fiber, oat gum, etc. Regular consumption can reduce cholesterol and is an excellent food for the elderly and patients with coronary heart disease. Soybeans and soy products contain saponin cellulose, which has the effect of reducing cholesterol in the body. Sweet potatoes are rich in sugar and also contain considerable amounts of carotene and vitamin C. Its characteristic is that it provides the human body with a large amount of collagen and mucopolysaccharides. These substances maintain the elasticity of the human arterial blood vessels, keep the joint cavities lubricated, prevent the atrophy of the connective tissue of the kidneys, and avoid the occurrence of collagen disorders. Regular consumption of sweet potatoes is beneficial for preventing and treating cardiovascular fat deposition, atherosclerosis, and reducing subcutaneous fat. It was discovered in recent years that Onions can prevent cardiovascular diseases. It contains active ingredients that can stimulate fibrinolytic activity in the blood and is currently the only plant known to contain prostaglandins. Onions have the functions of dilating blood vessels, reducing the resistance of peripheral blood vessels and the heart and coronary arteries, countering blood pressure-raising substances such as catecholamines in the body, and promoting the excretion of sodium salts. According to experiments, for the average patient with coronary heart disease, consuming 50 to 70 grams of Onions daily has a stronger effect than lipid-lowering drugs. The medicinal functions of garlic mainly lie in garlic essential oil, which is a mixture of sulfur compounds. It has a significant preventive and therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia and can reduce the occurrence of coronary heart disease and the formation of blood clots. The mechanism by which ginger lowers cholesterol mainly lies in the chelation of the oil resin in ginger oil with bile acid, which prevents the absorption of cholesterol and increases its excretion. The pungent and aromatic volatile oil in ginger, composed of gingerol, zingiberene, gingerol terpene, gingerol, citric acid, etc., has the effect of increasing blood circulation and preventing blood coagulation. Eggplant is rich in various vitamins, and purple eggplant also contains vitamin P. Regular consumption of eggplant can prevent the increase of serum cholesterol levels. The fiber of eggplant already contains saponin, which can enhance the elasticity of microvessels and is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Carrots are rich in vitamin A precursor and various nutrients. They also contain quercetin, kaempferol and other substances. Clinical medicine has proved that carrots can increase coronary blood flow, lower blood lipids and promote the synthesis of adrenaline. Therefore, carrots have the effects of lowering blood pressure and strengthening the heart. Leek contains a mixture of volatile essential oil and sulfur-containing compounds, and is rich in cellulose. Modern medicine has proved the lipid-lowering effect of Chinese chives. Celery is not only rich in various vitamins and minerals, but also contains volatile oil, mannitol, etc. It has the functions of strengthening the stomach, promoting diuresis, lowering blood pressure and calming the mind. Hawthorn contains triterpenoids and flavonoids, which can lower serum cholesterol and blood pressure. The quercetin and hyperoside II in hawthorn also have the functions of dilating blood vessels, promoting the movement of cilia in the trachea and relieving phlegm and asthma. Drinking tea can enhance the resilience of capillaries, promote thyroid function, reduce serum cholesterol concentration, and adjust the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids, etc. Therefore, it is beneficial for preventing and treating arteriosclerosis, enhancing ventricular contraction, accelerating heart rate, improving myocardial function and reducing fat, etc. Mushrooms and other edible fungi are rich in high protein, low in fat and cholesterol-free, and have a significant effect in lowering blood lipid and blood pressure. Experiments show that black fungus can also reduce blood clots and has the effect of preventing atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Algae such as kelp, nori, jellyfish and gelidium amansii are rich in minerals and various vitamins. Especially the alginate they contain has a blood pressure-lowering effect, and the sulfates of starch are polysaccharides with lipid-lowering functions. (Excerpted from Shanghai News of Traditional Chinese Medicine