Heart Health

FACTS:
Blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary heart disease) still causes more deaths in the United States than any other condition.  Source: American College of Physicians, American Society of Internal Medicine.

HOPE:
A study was designed to examine whether a diet high in fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risk for coronary heart disease.  The study included 84,251 women (34-59 years of age) and 42,148 men (40-75 years of age). Women were followed for 14 years and men for 8 years.
What did the researchers find? Although the lower occurrence of heart attacks was partly explained by health factors other than diet, it was also independently related to high fruit and vegetable intake. For every serving increase in the intake of fruits or vegetables, there was an associated 4% lower risk for coronary heart disease. Green leafy vegetables and fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C were most protective against heart attacks.  Source: “The Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Intake on Risk for Coronary Heart Disease.” 19 June 2001 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 134, pages 1106-1114).

WHOLENESS:
“And God said, “Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food…Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in everyway.” Gen 1: 28-31 NLT