Boost heart health and foil COVID

Keeping a lid on levels of troublesome blood fats called triglycerides has always been smart since doing so cuts the risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 50%. Now, George Washington University research suggests it can also reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 complications by 73%. And thankfully, doing so is easy! Just…

Try a citrus extract

Bergamot, a citrus extract that gives Earl Grey tea its flavor, does wonders for keeping triglyceride levels in check. Taking 500 mg. daily lowers triglyceride levels by 23%, according to research at Rome’s CamilloForlanini Hospital. Credit goes to flavonoids, compounds that inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in triglyceride formation. Try: Naomi Italian Citrus Bergamot 500 mg. (Naomiw.com). Check with a doctor before supplementing.

Think happy

Taking a moment to think about little things that make you happy every day does more than warm your heart: Research conducted at the University of Connecticut reveals it can also reduce triglycerides by 32%. Study authors say feel-good thoughts blunt spikes in cortisol, a stress hormone that’s been shown to increase blood fats.

Dip into guacamole

Or nosh on avocado toast! Creamy avocados brim with nutrients, fiber and friendly fatty acids that drive triglycerides down. In fact, Mexican researchers found that people who ate one avocado daily lowered triglyceride levels by 22% within a week. As a bonus, “bad” LDL cholesterol dropped 17%, while “good” HDL climbed 17%.

Sprinkle cinnamon

A teaspoon of this delicious spice on oatmeal or yogurt breaks down triglycerides so they don’t build up in the bloodstream. The proof: In a USDA study, folks who added cinnamon to their diet lowered their triglycerides by 27% within 20 days.