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22 January 2007
With heart disease swiftly reaching epidemic proportions not only internationally but also in South Africa, it's once again time to 'wake up' South Africans on the nutritional front.
Women, in particular, are becoming more obese in South Africa and with heart disease killing six times more women than breast cancer, it is imperative to drive this message home - soon.
Heart attacks are generally viewed as happening to 'other people' and until they happen, people don't pay enough attention to what they eat or how little they exercise. With this in mind, the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA has launched its Challenge Complacency Campaign to emphasise the message that everyone needs to think about the health of their hearts.
One of the areas of concern is people's knowledge of good fats as opposed to bad fats. There are so many myths, such as 'cut out all fats', 'never eat meat 'or 'any carbohydrates'... and consumers need to be educated properly.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA recommends that South Africans not only decrease their amount of total fat intake but also look at the type of fat they consume. Saturated fat raises blood cholesterol levels so people should aim to reduce this type which is typically found in meats, butter, eggs and cheese. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats tend to lower blood cholesterol levels and should make up more of the fat intake and are found in vegetable oils and fats.
Healthy eating recipes available on request.
We have cardiologists and experts in this field ready to be interviewed and give any information needed to get this message across to your readers, as well as ordinary South Africans who have suffered from heart disease and are happy to share their stories.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Kearney,
Project Director: Communications & Public Relations,
The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA
+27-21-447 4222 -
email: michelle@heartfoundation.co.za
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