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FAIL (the browser should render some flash content, not this).
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February 15, 2007
Dear Melissa,
February is heart month in Canada. It is a month
that we take a look at the factors that increase our
risk of heart disease and stroke since they are the
leading causes of death in Canada. There are a
number of risk factors that you can control that
will reduce your risk for heart disease including
avoiding: obesity, diabetes, smoking, high blood
pressure and elevated blood cholesterol. You can
actually take a
Heart and Stroke Risk Assessment at the
Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation. For a
healthy heart it is important to reduce stress, be
physically actice, achieve and maintain a healthy
weight and eat a diet that is lower in fat,
especially saturated and trans fats, that includes
fresh vegetables and fruit, complex carbohydrates
and high-fibre foods. |
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Healthy Indulgence
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Of course a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit
are best for a healthy heart, but everybody wants to
indulge once and a while. This February, consider
the benefits of dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate has a powerful antioxidant punch.
These antioxidants interact with other chemicals in
the chocolate, which means it would be difficult to
capture in a supplement, to prevent the damage of
free radicals on our cells. (Free radicals have been
linked to heart disease and cancer.) The
antioxidants also lower blood pressure by expanding
blood vessels and help cells use glucose better by
improving insulin sensitivity. All of which directly
contribute to better heart health. Be careful
though, it’s not just any old chocolate that will
make a difference. Dark chocolate is high in
antioxidant- rich flavonoids. White chocolate
doesn’t contain flavonoids at all and milk chocolate
is low in them. Milk chocolate has low cocoa
content, and it is cocoa that contains the
flavonoids.
When choosing dark chocolates, opt for the more
expensive ones, as they usually have higher levels
of flavonoids. Specifically, buy bittersweet
chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa content.
Is there now a daily recommendation for dark
chocolate consumption? Enjoy your treat sparingly.
Remember that chocolate is high in fat content and
sugar, so it is recommended that you eat it as a
treat. A few squares per week is plenty.
In order to burn those calories after eating all
your heart healthy chocolate remember to check out
my yoga and pilates schedule for class times and
locations that are convenient to you.
Class Schedule |
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Taking time out each day for yourself does wonders
for reducing stress, one of the contributing factors
to heart disease. I am so proud of all of you who
have made a commitment to taking yoga and pilates
with me this year.
Sincerely,
Melissa West
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