At last week's Obesity Society meeting in Atlanta, the American Heart Association and American Cardiology released new prevention guidelines related to obesity, cholesterol and heart disease. The text below was excerpted directly from the American Heart Association website, regarding
the
best dietary pattern and exercise for heart health:
"Americans shouldn’t sweat satisfying a sweet tooth with a slice of
cake or ice cream every now and then. More critical to wellness is
maintaining an overall heart-healthy dietary pattern than avoiding
occasional indulgences, according to a new lifestyle management
guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of
Cardiology.
Just 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three to
four times a week was also found to be sufficient for most people. Even
brisk walking will do.
The new recommendations are designed for people who need to lower
cholesterol and blood pressure. Many Americans fit that category: About
one-third of U.S. adults have elevated levels of bad cholesterol, and
nearly two-thirds have high blood pressure or prehypertension.
Recommended are dietary patterns that emphasize fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts. Red meat
and sugary foods and beverages should be limited. Many diets would work,
including the DASH eating plan and plans suggested by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the American Heart Association.
'Eating a healthy diet is not about good foods and bad foods in
isolation from the rest of your diet – it’s about the overall diet,'
said Robert Eckel, M.D., co-chair of a 19-member expert committee that
wrote the guideline. Eckel is also a past American Heart Association
president.
The overall dietary pattern should include less sodium, the guideline
says. For people who need to lower their blood pressure, the guideline
recommends an initial step-down approach to no more than 2,400
milligrams of sodium a day. Currently, the average American adult
consumes about 3,600 milligrams daily.
Americans can lower blood pressure even further by getting sodium
down to 1,500 mg a day. Cutting out processed foods high in sodium may
be necessary to stay below that threshold.
'We all eat too much sodium, and this guideline provides further evidence that we’d all do well to eat less of it,' Eckel said."
Click
here to read about more of the new heart disease and stroke prevention guidelines just released!
Junior golfers ages 8-18 are expected to take to the greens
of Summerville Country Club on Saturday, February 1st for the 1st Annual Team
William T1D Tee Off for Diabetes. The junior golf tournament, endorsed by the
South Carolina Junior Golf Association and the First Tee of Charleston, is a SCJGA
ranking tournament open to all golfers. It was created to bring more awareness
and education about juvenile diabetes and raise funding for the Palmetto
Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, provide a scholarship for
Camp Adam Fisher, the Carolina’s largest summer camp for children with
diabetes, and hopefully donate a diabetes alert dog to a child with type 1
diabetes in the Lowcountry.
The Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant is due February 14, 2014 OR as soon 1500 applications are received. Apply now for your school and receive up to $5000 towards a school garden, physical fitness area, playground, nature trail and more!
This week in the Post and Courier, an article highlighting "Getting rid of the junk in school vending machines" was posted. As of July 1, 2014 the USDA's new "Smart Snacks in Schools" standards go into effect. These standards require that snacks:
