| There is always new information coming out about | | | | to list the amount of trans-fatty acids if they are |
| how to protect our heart health and reduce our risk | | | | present in very small amounts. |
| of age-related diseases like atherosclerosis, also | | | | Because trans-fatty acids are not metabolized by the |
| known as hardening of the arteries. The importance | | | | body's enzymes, they stay in the bloodstream longer, |
| of being physically active is not news, but the role | | | | which makes it more likely that they will become |
| played by calcium and trans-fats in the bloodstream is | | | | oxidized or hardened. |
| news, to many people. | | | | According to the latest research from Germany, milk |
| The plaques that form along the interior of the | | | | and dairy products have an adverse effect on heart |
| arterial walls are composed of fats, calcium and | | | | health, partly because of the calcium that they |
| various amounts of tissue. Just a few years ago, fats | | | | contain and partly because of the type of protein |
| or high triglycerides in the bloodstream were | | | | they contain. |
| considered the greatest, if not the only, risk factor | | | | Calcium is essential for bone development and regular |
| for plaque buildup. | | | | intake is recommended for the prevention of |
| High cholesterol has been cited and blamed for years, | | | | osteoporosis. But when calcium is consumed, other |
| as well. But, a growing amount of evidence indicates | | | | nutrients, especially vitamin K2 must be present. |
| that high cholesterol, alone, is not enough to increase | | | | Vitamin K2's job is to insure that the calcium ends up |
| a person's risk of atherosclerosis. | | | | in the right places and does not adhere to the walls |
| First of all, the fats must be oxidized or hardened. | | | | of the arteries. |
| Most fats and cholesterol move through the | | | | One of the questions that many people have about |
| bloodstream quickly, too quickly to become oxidized. | | | | heart health has to do with whether or not the |
| Dietary fats are broken down by enzymes. | | | | plaques can be dissolved. We know more now than |
| Cholesterol is converted to bile. Everything travels | | | | we did in years past about the healthiest diets. So, 10 |
| along relatively quickly. | | | | years ago, we may have been eating the wrong |
| There is one type of dietary fat, however, that is | | | | things. |
| not metabolized by the body's enzymes. That type | | | | So, if some calcification or oxidation of fats is |
| of fat has been named "trans-fat". | | | | present in our arteries, can it be cleaned out? Right |
| For heart health, it is best to avoid trans-fat, which is | | | | now, members of the mainstream medical |
| why you will now see it listed in the nutrition facts of | | | | community would probably say "no". But, a doctor of |
| foods containing it. You can also read the ingredients | | | | naturopathic medicine might say "yes". |
| label and look for partially hydrogenated oils, of any | | | | There are nutrients, including enzymes, which can |
| type. | | | | help clean out the arteries. If you're interested in |
| If you see the ingredient, there are trans-fatty acids | | | | heart health, you might want to learn more about |
| in the product, even if they are not listed on the | | | | them. |
| nutrition facts. Food manufacturers are not required | | | | |