Some people carry a genetic predisposition to heart disease, but many of them may avoid the side effects associated with prescription medications if they make some simple lifestyle adjustments.
In fact, an article published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association details a long-term study that showed shifting protein sources away from red meat and toward fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products and nuts may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in women by as much as 30 percent.
“There are good protein-rich sources that do not involve red meat,” said Adam M. Bernstein, M.D., the studys primary author and post-doctoral research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. “You dont need to have hot dogs, hamburgers, bologna or pastrami, which are all fresh or processed meats.”
He also stressed that although the study looked at women, there are no reasons to believe the results would not hold true for men, as well.
Individuals who suffer from food allergies may consider nutritional supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids to take full advantage of heart health benefits.