LOVE
YOUR HEART
February is not only the month for valentines,
flowers and paper hearts, it’s
also a good time to reflect on the health
of your real heart!
Cardiovascular diseases, including
stroke, are our nation’s number
one killer. Since 1963, Congress
has required the President to proclaim
February “American Heart Month,”
to urge Americans to join the battle
against heart disease.
Fifty years ago, so little was known
about heart disease that it was thought
to be part of the normal process of
aging. We thought that luck played a
larger role in surviving a heart attack
than medicine, and those who survived,
were forced to lead restricted lives.
Research has determined that coronary
heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause
of death in most developed countries,
killing over 100 people every hour.
In the United States, death rates
from cardiovascular disease exceed one
million people annually and the total
cost is estimated to exceed $120 billion.
This cost is the largest disease-related
cost to health.
In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) announced that foods containing
soy protein may reduce the risk of CHD.
Soybeans have a favorable nutrient
profile for heart health, and have other
properties that may help lower the risk
for heart disease. They contain no saturated
fat or cholesterol and the amino acids
founding soybeans seem to help lower
total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
Soy is also high in fiber and contains
protective phytochemicals that may prevent
some types of cancer.
Soybeans can be good substitutes
for animal products because, unlike
some other beans, soy offers a “complete”
protein profile. They contain all
the amino acids essential to good human
nutrition.
Medifast
products are made from heart healthy,
soy protein.
click here for more information.
These amino acids must
be supplied in the diet because they
cannot be synthesized by the human body.
Soy protein products can replace animal
based foods without requiring major
adjustments elsewhere in the diet.
Soy’s role in chronic
disease prevention continues to be a
top priority for scientists around the
world. Recent clinical trials have shown
that consumption of soy protein compared
to other proteins, such as those from
milk or meat, can lower total and LDL-cholesterol
levels.
Soy foods are an excellent choice
for a heart-healthy diet. Soy protein
became the primary source of protein
in the Medifast line in the early
90’s and most products easily exceed
the level of soy protein recognized
by the FDA. Not only do Medifast products
help individuals improve nutrition and
lose weight, but the products also aid
in the prevention of heart disease.
In addition to traditional Medifast
products and programs, Medifast is also
focusing on disease management with
the development of Medifast Plus for
Coronary Health. The new products are
soy based and heart healthy. Each product
in this line is specially formulated
to reduce the risk of heart disease
while promoting good heart health.
Medifast products are individually
prepared with only the highest quality
ingredients and provide 21 essential
vitamins and minerals per serving,
as well as other nutrients essential
to good health. Medifast products offer
a variety of flavors, temperatures,
textures and choices such as shakes,
protein bars, oatmeal, chili creamy
soups and whole grain crackers for a
fully satisfying meal replacement.
February 2002, Medifast,
Healthy Ways
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