Heart Alert: Tips on How to Stay Fit

Heart diseases are the number one killer among the non-communicable diseases in developing countries. In the Philippines, heart diseases remain a constant threat to Filipinos.

Here are heart-healthy tips to enjoy your life:

• Know your family history and inform your health care professional of any hereditary risks.
• Prevention is key--- don’t skip annual checkups.
• Control high blood pressure. Eat low-fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables.
• Eat plenty of soluble fiber daily from foods like oatmeal, oat bran, beans, fruits and vegetables.
• Choose foods low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol by selecting lean meats and low fat dairy foods.
• Lose excess weight to help lower blood levels of harmful Low Density Lipoproteins (bad) cholesterol.
• Engage in regular physical activity. Even a low to moderate intensity daily walk counts.
• Stop smoking.

Message 10 of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, developed by an expert Technical Committee chaired by the FNRI advises all of us: “for a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise regularly, do not smoke, and avoid alcoholic beverages“ Act now and enjoy your life.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: The Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Tel./Fax: 8372934, 8373164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph

FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service
Imelda A. Agdeppa, Ph.D.