Health
Heart surgeon reveals what to eat (and not eat) for optimal cardiac health
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Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America, accounting for one in five deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While multiple lifestyle factors can cause heart health to decline, nutrition is a large component, experts confirm.
In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jeremy London shared how nutrition can sometimes be a sensitive topic, as diets can work differently for every individual.
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A focus on general dietary guidelines, including eating whole foods and avoiding processed foods, is a great place to start, according to the Savannah, Georgia-based expert.
Reaping the benefits of nutrition for heart health is about balance, he said.
A cardiothoracic surgeon emphasizes being “mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth.” (iStock)
“If I can eat whole foods 80% of the time, that’s a win for me,” he said. “And I think that’s reasonable.”
Hydration is also an important component of heart health, London said. He recommends reaching for more water and limiting alcohol consumption.
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“That being said, your body, your rules, as long as you know the facts,” he commented. “Alcohol is a personal choice, but it’s really toxic to every cell in the body.”
“From a nutritional standpoint, be mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth — try and focus on whole foods and limit alcohol or remove it altogether.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. (iStock)
Diet is especially important for those with heart health-related conditions such as high cholesterol, London said, as they should limit foods high in saturated fat.
Some foods, such as eggs, have been linked to high cholesterol in the past, but recent research has revealed that eggs can be a heart-healthy food.
London commented that eggs are a “wonderful nutritional source,” but added that the nutritional “pendulum” should always stay at the center.
“If I can eat whole foods 80% of the time, that’s a win for me.”
“The dietary portion of the endogenous cholesterol (produced naturally inside the body) is maybe not as important as we had thought previously,” he said.
“There are people who are ‘hyper responders’ and should avoid those situations, but [otherwise], eggs in moderation are a great source of protein and certain vitamins and minerals that you can’t get elsewhere.”
London called eggs a “wonderful nutritional source,” but some people with certain conditions should eat them in moderation. (iStock)
Individuals with high cholesterol and other heart conditions should limit refined flours and sugars, London suggested, as there’s a “direct correlation between blood glucose and triglyceride levels.”
Exercise is also an important component for better balance and results, experts agree.
What’s the 80/20 rule?
The 80/20 approach has been endorsed by experts as a proven concept for healthy eating.
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A recent medically reviewed article by WebMD detailed how eating healthy meals 80% of the time allows for “more freedom” with the other 20%. The approach can affect weight differently depending on how it’s done.
“Because the 80/20 diet features a healthy, balanced diet with a few splurges, it may help you shed a few pounds if you use it to cut down on fattening foods and watch your calories,” the article states. “Anytime you burn more calories than you take in, you’re likely to lose weight.”
An 80/20 approach to nutrition can be enough to support a healthy heart, according to experts. (iStock)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s federal diet guidelines recommend filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, making half of your grains whole grain, varying lean protein, and including a serving of low-fat or fat-free dairy.
Sugars, sodium and saturated fats should all be limited, the guidelines state.
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Individuals with specific conditions, such as diabetes, should consult their doctor before starting the 80/20 eating plan.
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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