Inside Out By Cory Quirino Philippine Daily Inquirer

(Part I)

Confusion rules the day if you read up on too many approaches to living the wellness lifestyle, especially if the topic is dieting. The result: information overload. There are no fast and easy answers. Regarding your wellness issues, here are answers to some of your questions.

Q: Heart disease runs in the family, and I fear the same fate as my fathers. What should I do?

While genetics plays a major role in your predisposition toward certain illnesses, positive lifestyle changes have the power to alter 50 percent of your outlook. So, fear not. You are not doomed to your genetic fate. Especially if you are taking charge of your health today.

To do:

1. See your cardiologist, nutritionist, fitness trainer.

2. Make immediate changes in your habits, especially if you have many bad ones, like drinking alcohol, smoking, not exercising and others.

We have all heard stories about people in their early 40s who are careful with their diets and exercise regularly yet suffer sudden heart attacks. Doctors have known that a healthy lifestyle can prevent heart disease. However, it has been discovered that a lack of certain nutrients can lead to heart problems.

There is the Nurses Health Study being conducted at Harvard Medical School, and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. After following over 73,000 nurses, it was found that a diet rich in vitamin E reduced heart attack risk by 52 percent; vitamin C reduced risk of 43 percent and betacarotene reduced risk by 38 percent. These nutrients protect your arteries. The other nutrients are CoQ10 and selenium which nutrition-oriented doctors recommend. Garlic has been used for centuries to clean up the blood and the heart. Studies indicate that eating one clove of fresh garlic daily can significantly lower total cholesterol. If you develop indigestion, consider garlic oil capsules taken during meals.

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You are not doomed to your genetic fate

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