Not only is it Valentine's Day, but February is American Heart Month. Get yourself or your partner something that will help in your wellness journey and heart health. We've got some lovely ideas for Valentine's and heart health in this week's newsletter. Plus, get our top heart health tips from our resident dietitian.
Here are some of our top picks for Valentine's and heart health.
1. Envelop yourself in the scent of love with natural essential oils like cinnamon and rose from NOW Foods. Their Love at First Scent Kit is the perfect little treat for your Valentine.
2. February is also heart health month, and it may be a good time to make sure you're getting all the right nutrients to support your ticker. Doctor's Best Women's Heart Health Complex contains heart healthy omega-3 fats, vitamin K and coenzyme Q10 for optimal heart health.
3. Flax oil is a great source of Omega-3 fats, which are great for heart, brain, hair and skin health. Barlean's Organic Lignan Flax Oil is pure and unrefined for the best quality product to help you boost your health this Valentine's.
4. Did you know that garlic is powerfully anti-inflammatory? Support your heart and immune health with Eclectic Herb Garlic Capsules.
5. Fiber is one of the most important nutrients for heart health. Yet, most Americans don't even get close to enough. Boost your fiber intake with Life Extension Easy Fiber with natural orange flavor.
6. Looking for a high potency folic acid to support heart and brain health? Nature's Plus Folic Acid Hearts deliver everything you need to get your daily folic acid needs met along with supporting B12 and B6 vitamins.
7. Want a multivitamin made with heart health in mind? Try Garden of Life's Multi+ Heart Health multivitamin for a highly absorbable fermented multivitamin with heart supporting nutrients.
8. Get that perfect red lip without toxins or harmful additives. Color Organics Love Lip Tint is made with organic natural ingredients that won't harm your smackers.
*It's always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider when taking new supplements. This newsletter is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical conditions.
by Jeani Hunt, MS, RD, CD, VitaminLife's resident dietitian and owner of VeggieLush Nutrition.
Heart disease is still the number one cause of death for men and women in the United States, and while exposures and genetics definitely play a role, a large percentage of heart disease can be prevented with simple diet and lifestyle changes. Try these five tips start lowering your risk.
1. Replace some saturated fat with unsaturated fat - Saturated fat or fats that are solid at room temperature and mostly come from animal foods may increase LDL or "bad cholesterol". Replace some of them with healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocado to lower LDL and raise HDL or "good cholesterol."
2. Limit added sugar and refined grains - A lot of folks don't realize that added sugar and refined grains can also contribute to raising LDL. A good rule of thumb is to try for less than 25 g of added sugar daily and replace some of your refined grains intake with whole grains like brown rice, oats, quinoa and bulgar wheat.
3. Limit ultra-processed foods and replace with anti-inflammatory foods - We're finding out more and more that inflammation also contributes to heart disease and one of the biggest sources of inflammation in our diets is ultra processed foods. Replace fast food and foods with lots of artificial additives with whole anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
4. Get at least 25 grams of fiber daily - Fiber is pretty magical in that it helps clear excess fats from your system and is great for heart and gut health. Try for at least 25 grams of fiber from fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains daily.
5. Get at least 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity weekly - As long as you're not overworking your body, vigorous physical activity is very beneficial for heart health. Vigorous activity is defined as 70-90% of your max heart rate or 60-85% of VO2 max.
These plus not smoking are very powerful for heart health! Start now and your heart will thank you in the future.
Need more help finding everything you need to live #ThatVitaminLife - a life of health, wellness, joy and balance? Shoot us an email at customerservice@vitaminlife.com or call our help line: 866-998-8855 or 425-420-9100
