Diet, exercise and nutritional supplements are the first line of defense against the risk factors for heart disease. Learn more about how our products can help! As the leading cause of death for both men and women around the world, cardiovascular disease affects people of all ages and ethnicities. 1 in 3 deaths worldwide each year is caused by cardiovascular disease (World Health Organization). Moderately overweight adults, even after having lost the weight, suffer increased chances of developing heart disease by over 70% (National Institute of Health, 2004). The majority of cardiovascular diseases are preventable and controllable (World Health Federation, April 2004).
Controllable Risk Factors - Though there are risk factors for heart disease you cannot control, such as family history, age and ethnicity, there are several risk factors that you can manage:
LDL ("bad" cholesterol)
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance made by the body and consumed in foods. Too much LDL may clog your arteries and veins so that your organs cannot get the oxygen and nutrients they need. HDL ("good" cholesterol)
HDL helps transport cholesterol out of the bloodstream to the liver where your body can excrete it. According to the New England Journal of Medicine (September 2005), low levels of HDL cholesterol are known to increase overall risk of dying from heart disease. Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a form of fat that provides energy for cells to function. High blood Triglycerides are often linked with lower HDL "good" cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measures how hard our heart is pumping. High blood pressure levels can ultimately lead to heart failure or stroke. Homocysteine
Too much of this amino acid is another risk factor for heart disease. Obesity
Excess weight puts significant strain on your heart and may worsen other risk factors. Lifestyle
Everyday manageable risk factors include diet, stress and smoking.
What else can you do? Diet - The foods you eat can help protect your heart: Excess weight puts significant strain on your heart. You can achieve and maintain a healthy weight through our personalized Weight Loss Programs. Keep fats, especially saturated fats, to less than 30% of your daily calories to help manage weight and cholesterol. Exercise - Exercise can strengthen your heart muscle to work more efficiently and can also reduce body fat.
Find out how Energy and Fitness Products can give you the energy to work and play hard. Follow these simple tips: Increase your daily activity by going for a walk around your neighborhood for 20 - 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times each week. Supplements - Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system requires making sound lifestyle choices, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, our modern lifestyle often makes this difficult. The new line of Heart Health Products supplements make it easy to maximize the effects of a healthy lifestyle by targeting the major risk factors for heart disease. *
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