Stop by any Feel-Rite Fresh Market location and sign up for a FREE Nutritional Consultation with our Nutritionist Linda Griffin! Our Nutritionist can offer:

• A review of your supplement program relating to your health concerns
• Advice on creating a healthy eating plan and food selection
• Education on nutrition related problems

Q: My family has a strong history of heart disease on both my father and mothers side. I am a 30 year old male in great health but am constantly worried about this. What can I do ? - Tyler

A: You are being very proactiv about taking an interest in preventing heart disease. There are strong genetic influences in the health of all of us. Genes aren't the only risk factor. Being overweight, having high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, being a smoker and being a highly stressed person all influence the health of our hearts. In addition to these factors, your doctor can do an ultrasound of your carotic arteries, take a blood test for C-reactive protein which measures inflammation in the arteries an EKG, stress test your levels of Vitamin D. Your lifestyle is key to staying healthy. Prevention is your best defense. It is much easier to maintain your weight by eating nutrient dense foods and exercising rather than confronting large amounts amounts of weight loss.

Many people who are overweight also have health issues such as bad knees or hips that prevent them from using a tredmill or elliptical machines. For them, I recommed swimming. It is a very successful plan for weight loss that does not put strain on the joints. Exercising for 30 minutes each day 5 days a week can bring down weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Eating a wide variety of fruitys, vegetables and salads which provide all the various phytonutrients and enzymes will assure a large amount of antioxidants in your diet.

Substituting fish, white meat chicken and turkey for fatty red meat and burgers will give you healthy protein. Don't buy boxed and canned foods with dangerously high amounts of sodium. Drink water, herbal iced teas instead of soda and other unhealthy drinks. Eliminate chemicals, preservations, artifical sweeteners and be very aware of chemicals in your home also. Use "green" cleaners and avoid chemicals in your garden as well.

Remember, if you have pets and children in your home, they are more prone to these toxin in and around your home than you are. Supplements such as CoEnzyme Q10, carnitine, hawthorne, Vitamin E (make sure it is natural not synthetic, lecithin, fish oils and niacin all have a positive effect on the health of the heart. Stay focused on your good health, maintain your weight, eat nutritously and visit your doctor each year for blood tests and any other tests he recommends as mentioned above. Being pro-active and informed will empower you to be in the best health possible.

Click here for past Q&A with our nutritionist Linda Griffin !