What Is a Coronary Heart Disease Diet?
Coronary heart disease causes constriction and lack of proper blood flow in the arteries that lead to the heart. This constriction is caused by plaque, a fatty substance that builds up in the coronary arteries. Plaque build-up in the coronary arteries is a direct result of the consumption of the cholesterol found in foods such as dairy and meat. Vegetables and other plant-produced foods do not contain cholesterol, so a coronary heart disease diet typically contains a high amount of plant-produced foods that are lower in cholesterol and richer in soluble fibers. Cholesterol is a substance found in many dairy products and meats. There are different types of cholesterol, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). HDL is considered considered a “good” cholesterol because it prevents plaque build-up in the arteries. LDL is considered “bad” because it increases plaque build-up that leads to coronary heart disease. A coronary heart disease diet should be low i
