Ever wondered why there isn't a World Spleen Day or a World Small Intestine Day or World Big Toe Day. Simply because important as these body organs are, they just don't compare in importance to our heart.
The heart is the toughest, most hard-working muscle in the human body. It works incessantly from the moment we are born right up till the lights go out. With blood constantly pumping in and out of auricles and ventricles through a labyrinth of arteries and veins, the heart is indeed the engine of our existence.
Before you read any further, here's a little exercise.
Stop what you're doing, close your eyes, cover your ears with your palms, and... listen to your heart.
Thump... thump... thump... thump...
Now, put your hand on your heart and feel...
Thump... thump... thump... thump...
Take a moment to stop and think about looking after your heart.
That is the essence of World Heart Day.
World Heart Day was created by to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death, claiming 17.2 million lives each year.
According to the World Heart Federation, 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors (tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) are controlled.
A workplace that encourages healthy habits can reduce heart disease and stroke.
That is why the World Heart Federation is calling on everyone to 'Work with Heart' - encouraging people to make small lifestyle changes which could lead to better health as well as greater productivity at work. World Heart Day 2009 has been dedicated to this theme as part of its commitment to the World Economic Forum's "Working towards Wellness" initiative.
Businesses around the world, as well as leading organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have recognized the importance of employee health to achieve core business objectives. Many have committed to include health promotion on their corporate agenda.
That's what USANA Health Sciences hopes to change.
At USANA NZ, we understand that sound health is a result of balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle. This state of well-being implies optimal performance of all body systems, including the heart.
Virtually chronic degenerative diseases that plague today's world are caused or exacerbated by the deterioration of the modern diet. Good heart health in particular, is directly linked to diet & nutrition.
Apart from staying physically health-focused at work, you need to support your cardiovascular health with essential nutrients like fish oil, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E and grape seed extract.
USANA® Foods are developed to provide great-tasting, high-quality essential nutrients - which your body needs to complete your healthy diet. Here are two Optimizers that do just that.
Every capsule of re-formulated BiOmega™ III (now fortified with vitamin D) contains 1,000mg of fish oil, supplying the important Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA – essential nutrients for optimal health and wellness – which help support normal, healthy heart function, nerve and myelin function and helps maintain good joint health.
CoQuinone™ contains advanced levels of CoQ10. Cells with the highest energy demands, such as in the heart, contain the highest levels of CoQ10. CoQ10 has been studied for years in the U.S., Europe, and Japan for its role in producing cellular energy and re-energising the heart and other muscles.
Be sure to ask your friends, family and of course, colleagues at work to visit www.worldheartday.org/
For more information, download the Poster & Leaflet here.