Healthy Living

Cinnamon Walnut Dream Delight

Enjoy the delightful Cinnamon Walnut Dream Delight, a simple yet satisfying pre-bed sweet treat that supports your health goals. Greek yogurt, a staple of the Greek diet, adds a touch of heritage to this simple recipe. Let’s explore how you can enhance this product with readily available ingredients from your kitchen. It’s important to be mindful of the ingredient quantities. Nuts provide numerous nutritional benefits and are calorie-dense, so exercise caution if you’re conscious of your weight.

Savor the creamy and low-fat Greek yogurt as the foundation of this delightful treat, rich in protein. The gentle sweetness of honey complements the warming flavor of Ceylon cinnamon, known for its potential benefits in regulating glucose levels. Topped with crunchy walnuts, this combination offers a satisfying texture.

 

Ingredients:

  • 150grams plain low-fat Greek yogurt (no added sugar)
  • 10g honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
  • 15g walnuts, chopped

Cinnamon Walnut Dream Delight Heart Matters

Rich in antioxidants and containing compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, Ceylon cinnamon has been associated with potential anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. 

 

Method:

  1. In a small bowl, add the plain low-fat Greek yogurt.
  2. Drizzle the honey over the yogurt and sprinkle the Ceylon cinnamon on top.
  3. Mix well until the honey and cinnamon are evenly distributed throughout the yogurt.
  4. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the yogurt mixture.
  5. Gently stir the walnuts into the yogurt, leaving some on top for added texture.
  6. Serve and enjoy your heart-healthy pre-bed sweet treat!

 

Nutritional facts:

  • Calories: ~237 kcal
  • Protein: ~16g
  • Carbohydrates: ~18g
  • Fat: ~11g

 

Heart-Healthy Benefits:

  • Plain, low-fat Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which aids in muscle repair and growth. It also contains calcium, potassium, and probiotics that promote heart health and support a healthy digestive system.
  • Honey, when consumed in moderation, provides natural sweetness and contains antioxidants antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Ceylon cinnamon is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, thus supporting heart health and blood sugar control.
  • Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, linked to numerous heart health benefits. They may help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and support cardiovascular well-being.

Enjoy your Cinnamon Walnut Dream Delight as a satisfying dessert that satiates your sweet tooth and nourishes your heart with wholesome ingredients. Sleep well, knowing you’ve indulged in a health-conscious treat that supports your overall well-being.

 

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other anti-anginals

When first-line therapies for angina, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates, prove inadequate or are not well-tolerated, second-line therapies may be considered.
Perhexiline is a unique medication that enhances the heart's ability to utilize fatty acids for energy, reducing its reliance on oxygen and lowering oxygen demand. This action helps improve blood flow and alleviates chest pain in some patients with refractory angina.
Nicorandil is another second-line option with a dual mechanism of action. It opens potassium channels in smooth muscle cells, causing vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow. Additionally, nicorandil also stimulates nitric oxide release, further dilating blood vessels and reducing heart workload.
Trimetazidine is an anti-ischemic agent that improves cardiac efficiency by enhancing glucose metabolism and shifting the heart's energy production to a more oxygen-efficient process. As second-line therapies, these medications offer alternative approaches for managing angina in individuals who do not respond adequately to first-line treatments or those experiencing side effects from other medications.

lipid lowering therapies

Lipid-lowering therapies play a critical role in managing coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition characterized by the narrowing of blood vessels that supply the heart. Among the most commonly discussed and debated classes of medications are statins, which effectively reduce cholesterol levels and are widely prescribed to lower the risk of cardiovascular events. Alongside statins, other medications like ezetimibe, fibrates, and niacin are also utilized to target specific aspects of lipid metabolism, such as cholesterol absorption, triglyceride levels, and raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Additionally, the introduction of medications that inhibit PCSK9, an enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism, has provided a promising new approach to further lower LDL cholesterol levels. These PCSK9 inhibitors, such as Repatha (evolocumab), have shown significant efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol levels in patients with CAD, especially for those who may not respond well to traditional therapies.

Nitrates

Nitrates are widely used to treat angina and provide quick relief for chest pain. Commonly available in the form of sublingual sprays or tablets, patches, and long-acting tablets, nitrates work by dilating blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow and reduced resistance. This dilation eases the heart's workload, leading to a decreased demand for oxygen and prompt alleviation of angina symptoms. Sublingual nitrates act rapidly and are often used to provide immediate relief during angina attacks, while patches and long-acting tablets are employed for preventive purposes. However, nitrates may cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and flushing, which usually subside over time.

calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers, including amlodipine, felodipine, cardizem (diltiazem), and verapamil, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of angina. These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, leading to their relaxation. As a result, blood vessels widen, promoting improved blood flow and reduced blood pressure. In the context of angina, this relaxation decreases the heart's workload, lowering the demand for oxygen and alleviating chest pain. Calcium channel blockers offer a valuable treatment option for individuals with angina, but it is essential to be aware of potential side effects, which may include headaches, dizziness, flushing, and ankle swelling.

Beta blockers

Beta blockers, such as metoprolol, propranolol, atenolol, carvedilol, and bisoprolol, play a crucial role in treating angina. By blocking certain receptors in the heart, they effectively reduce heart rate and the force of contraction, thereby easing the heart's workload. This mechanism of action leads to a decreased demand for oxygen, making beta blockers highly effective in relieving chest pain associated with angina. As with any medication, it's important to consider potential side effects, including tiredness, worsened asthma, erectile dysfunction in some males, and more vivid dreams during sleep. Consult your healthcare provider to determine the suitability of beta blockers for managing your angina and overall heart health.

Anti-platelet Medications

Anti-platelet medications play a crucial role in preventing blood clot formation, reducing the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Among the widely used anti-platelet drugs are aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor.

Aspirin: This well-known medication inhibits platelet activation, making it less likely for platelets to stick together and form clots. Aspirin is commonly used for primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

Clopidogrel: As a potent anti-platelet agent, clopidogrel works by blocking specific receptors on platelets, preventing them from aggregating. It is often prescribed to patients with acute coronary syndrome, those undergoing stent procedures, and for some cases of peripheral arterial disease.

Ticagrelor: Ticagrelor is another effective anti-platelet drug that works by inhibiting platelet activation. It is used in acute coronary syndrome, often given alongside aspirin to reduce the risk of heart-related events.