Healthy heart seminar Nov. 20 on Sanibel

Your heart beats more than 100,000 each day without rest, squeezing more than 2,500 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels. Wow! Just thinking about how hard your heart works may make you want to sit down and rest.

Actually, getting up and making the heart work harder through exercise is, for most people, the best thing for the cardiovascular system. Nutrition plays a major role in the health of the heart, but what is good nutrition? Low fat? No fat? High protein? Fish oil? Special nutrients?

Carol Simontacchi of the Island Nutrition Center will facilitate a no-charge seminar and discussion group called "Your Guide to a Healthy Heart." The event will be held at the Island Nutrition Center, 1633 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Discussion topics include a brief overview of metabolic syndrome and how disordered blood sugar affects the heart, a low inflammatory diet specifically geared to heart health, special nutrients like CoQ10, fish oil, and magnesium, and others. Bring your questions for the discussion group.

Space is limited; reservations are required. Please call the Island Nutrition Center at 472-4499 to reserve a spot.

Ms. Simontacchi is hosting a series of health seminars through the winter. Upcoming topics include digestive health, chronic pain and inflammation, fatigue, and bone health. Ms. Simontacchi is a certified lifestyle educator with FirstLine Therapy.