How macronutrients and micronutrients come together to help or harm your heart and arteries

The best approach to heart health is a diet built around maximizing the foods that help and minimizing the foods that harm. Understanding the role of the macronutrients -- protein, good fats and bad fats, good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates -- along with the micronutrients -- antioxidants, plant sterols, fibers, sodium, potassium, and Omega-3s -- is critical in supporting long term heart health and vital aging.

The dietary guidelines are jointly issued and updated every five years by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS), and provide advice about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.