FEBRUARY 4: LIMIT THE CARBS

29 Days to Healthier Heart

If you want to lower your risk of heart disease, then it’s important that you limit your intake of refined carbohydrates.There is substantial evidence that refined carbohydrate (ie sugar) intake is a significant factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Although a high sugar intake leads to elevations in triglyceride and cholesterol levels, the real culprit may be the elevations in insulin caused by the sugar.

Elevated insulin levels are associated with elevations in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Currently, more than half of the carbohydrates consumed in North America are in the form of sugars added to foods as sweetening agents. For this reason food labels must be read carefully! Watch for the following words; sucrose, glucose, maltose, lactose, fructose, corn syrup, or white grape juice concentrate.

-Karen Hack, BHSc, ND