 |
Increasingly popular, Americans are applying their green thumbs in backyard, window box, rooftop, and community garden plots. They’re growing their own fruits (strawberries, raspberries, peaches, grapes, and melons) and vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers).
Their results are a health and wealth bonanza. One dollar invested in a community garden plot yields $6 worth of vegetables according to the article, Health Benefits of Urban Agriculture: Public Health and Food Security on www.foodsecurity.org.
“A salad of mixed greens topped with fresh-picked blueberries provides a light and healthy summer meal,” said Dr. Galt. “Food affects our cholesterol, blood pressure, and body weight. These are important in maintaining healthy veins and arteries.”
Dr. Galt recommends following the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These guidelines encourage Americans to eat:
• more fruits and vegetables
• whole grains
• low-fat milk products
• lean meats, beans, eggs, nuts
• fish
• foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugar.
Minimal sodium intake is the suggestion of the USDA Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This is a risk factor for carotid artery disease as well as stroke, the fourth leading cause of death in America according to 2010 National Vital Statistics.
Food choices, moderate physical activity (walking 30 minutes daily), not smoking, and a healthy body weight can help control blood pressure and cholesterol. Persons at risk of high cholesterol should have an annual cholesterol blood test. Medications can help lower cholesterol.
For vascular wellness information, visit VascularWeb.org®.
# # #
About the Society for Vascular Surgery
The Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) is a not-for-profit professional medical society, composed primarily of vascular surgeons, that seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research, and public awareness. SVS is the national advocate for 3,686 specialty-trained vascular surgeons and other medical professionals who are dedicated to the prevention and cure of vascular disease. Visit its Web site at VascularWeb.org®. Follow SVS on Facebook and Twitter.
###
Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and receive current Health News, be eligible for discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
www.HealthNewsDigest.com
For advertising/promotion, email: [email protected] Or call toll free: 877- 634-9180
