Valentines Day, the largest chocolate and flower day of the year happens tomorrow. Youre welcome to all the gents reading this, you've still got time to pick up something for your sweetheart.

In addition to flowers, chocolate, wine and heart-shaped pizzas, paradoxically February is also heart-health month. As much as wed like to believe consuming a box of dark chocolates and a bottle of red wine after dinner can be good for the heart, the palette is by far the body part experiencing the greatest benefits.

Now, before you all go labelling me as anti-chocolate and no fun, I am a chocolate lover. In fact Ive created several chocolate recipes that are not only delicious, but healthy. Something Ive been able to share and help my clients stay on track with their health goals and not feel deprived. And on the rare occasion, Ill have a glass of red wine.

Dark chocolate and red wine both contain resveratrol, a component that does promote heart health. What most people dont know however, is that the amount of resveratrol youd ingest over dessert with your sweetheart, isnt enough to make a significant difference in your health.

As youve heard (or read) me say before, we can get all the nutrients our body needs from food. Theres no question God gave us great stuff here on this planet. The question is, do we? An article published by the Kressler Institute in 2018 reported, More than half the calories Americans consume, come from nutrient-depleted, ultra-processed foods... and went on to say that Nearly one-third (31%) of the U.S. population is at risk for at least one vitamin deficiency or anemia.

United States stats are always easier to dig up, but trust me, Canadians are right there too.

Since were smack dab in the middle of heart month, let's look at three supplements that are known for building and supporting a healthy heart. Ive already mentioned resveratrol. Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10, and Omega 3.

As with any nutrient, taking a supplement should not be considered a replacement for the healthy foods that also contain the same nutrients. Supplements are to come alongside and fill the gaps, not provide a get-out-of-eating-your-veggies free card.

Of these three, if you take supplements at all, you're most likely using, or at least have heart of, omega 3s. Several types of fish including salmon, lake trout, sardines, herring, anchovies, as well as nuts, seeds, flaxseed, and chia all contain omega 3 fatty acids. Great for supporting brain function, alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, and joint pain, omega 3s also help to lower blood fat levels.

In other words, omega 3s help bring down elevated triglycerides and lowers cholesterol, which also brings down your risk of heart disease and stroke. And unless youre eating fish daily, supplementing is definitely a good idea.

Resveratrol, found in red grapes and cocoa beans red wine and dark chocolate is known for its antioxidant properties and a 2015 review posted on PubMed concluded high doses may help reduce the pressure exerted on artery walls when the heart beats, bringing down blood pressure.

Of course, consuming high doses of red wine or chocolate for that matter would produce the opposite effect, creating inflammation. So, supplementing is the way to go.

Researchers also found supplementing with resveratrol had a positive impact on overall cholesterol levels and may also help decrease plaque buildup inside

Unlike resveratrol and omega 3, Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is something our bodies produce naturally.

According to a June 2019 article by Dr. Josh Axe, CoQ10 helps cells produce energy and neutralize free radicals, the damaged cells that cause illness and aging, improve heart health.

It offsets negative effects of statin drugs, slows down DNA damage due to aging, helps maintain ph balance, may slow or reverse the spread of some cancers, supports cognitive function, may improve male infertility, treats symptoms of fibromyalgia.

The amount of CoQ10 our bodies produce reduces with age. And although consuming foods that contain CoQ10 such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts is something everyone should be doing, Dr. Axe goes on to say that for people who, struggle with certain health conditions, such as heart disease having chronic diseases, high levels of stress, deficient in vitamin B, mitochondria diseases, taking statin drugs, food alone may not be enough as these conditions further impede CoQ10 production.

And as the heart is just one of many areas CoQ10 is needed for optimal health, it's in our best interest to keep those levels up.

As with anything you put in your body, quality matters. Like your car, the better quality fuel you put in, the better performance youre going to get. Whether its food or supplements, same goes for your body. And in case there was any doubt, that old adage you get what you pay for, is true.

Februarys the perfect time to give your heart and yourself some love. Youre worth it.

Tania Gustafson is a nutritionist and fitness coach.

On the web: fuelignitethrive.com.

Email: tania@fuelignitethrive.com. Find healthy chocolate recipes at the 8 Weeks is All it Takes group on Facebook.

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Chocolates are fun, but your heart needs better help than that - pentictonherald.ca