Heart health can be aided by produce, exercise

The health of the heart, the organ responsible for pumping blood to every part of the body, is a concern for every person as they age. A weak heart makes for a weak body and lifestyle.

The health of the heart, the organ responsible for pumping blood to every part of the body, is a concern for every person as they age. A weak heart makes for a weak body and lifestyle.

Over the course of a life, the arteries carrying blood to the heart can narrow or become clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits, a condition known as atherosclerosis. In addition, eating a high-fat meal can impair the elasticity of the brachial artery, the major blood vessel in the arm, for four hours or more. A poor elasticity value can be an accurate predictor of atherosclerosis and visceral fat accumulation in obese subjects, according to a 2009 study by Tohuku University School of Medicine in Japan.

“It’s why heart attacks can happen after big meals,” said Barb Schultz, the marketing director for Juice Plus, a company that sells encapsulated fruit and vegetable supplements.

Schultz leads seminars on the subject of heart health awareness, one of which took place Tuesday at the Bonney Lake Senior Center.

The Juice Plus seminars are conducted with a slant toward selling the company’s products, but there is real science and sound medical advice offered within them.

A 2003 University of Maryland study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology measured elasticity of the brachial artery in 38 healthy adults, both before and after a high-fat meal. Measurements in the group that used the Juice Plus fruit and vegetable concentrate daily showed blunting of the adverse effects of the meal on their arteries.

A similar effect can be achieved with vitamin antioxidants and a green salad, according to the authors of the study.

Juice Plus is for people who don’t have the time to incorporate natural fruits and vegetables into their diet, Schultz said.

“It’s hard to find the time to eat right these days,” she said.

An active lifestyle can encourage circulation and prevent the arterial inflammation associated with cardiovascular diseases. Daily walks are one way to elevate heart rate and keep the organ healthy. A doctor can provide input on the impact of any exercise regimen on your body.

A high-produce diet low in transitive fats can also prevent the negative effects of heart disease. Schultz recommended the diet advice of Michael Pollan, author of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food.”

“Eat real food, mostly plants, and not too much,” Schultz said, quoting from the latter book.