Cholesterol and obesity were the main subjects of focus in a Heart to Heart seminar held recently on heart health organised by Unilever owned Flora pro.activ. The seminars, which are organised once every few years, aim to address risk factors in the development of cardiovascular or heart disease, which is the number one cause of mortality in Malta.

The latest seminar, which was open to the public, was led by consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Alexander Manchè, who spoke about the importance of addressing cholesterol and obesity as risk factors and choosing a lifestyle that will determine people’s success or otherwise in achieving a long and healthy life.

He said that ultimately, prevention is better than cure, so the more informed people are about the risk factors, the more can be done to prevent their development. Speaking about raised cholesterol, Manchè said the natural way this can sometimes be reduced is by using plant sterols, which are found naturally in a variety of foods.

A Flora pro.activ representative explained that the recommended amount of plant sterols consumed daily is between 1.5 and 2.4 grams, to achieve a reduction of raised cholesterol of between eight and 10 per cent in two to three weeks as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

In order to achieve this, one would need to eat 425 tomatoes, 150 apples or 83 oranges. Alternatively this intake of plant sterols can be achieved by consuming just three portions of Flora pro.activ daily by means of a Flora pro.activ mini drink, which is three portions, or a combination of portions of Flora pro.activ spread and Flora pro.activ milk.

Also present on the panel was state registered nutritionist Alicia Galea, who focused on the complications of obesity including cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, diabetes and hypertension stating that losing weight and achieving the ideal body weight is important in the prevention of such conditions. Quoting from a 2010 World Health Organisation report, Galea said that Maltese children and adults are among the heaviest both in Europe and also globally. Therefore it is important to follow the right diet to succeed in weight loss and maintain it.

She added that a diet needs to be planned according to an individual’s needs, food preferences and medical conditions. Any diet should include a balance of the recommended intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fats with the right portion sizes based on a person’s metabolic rate to enable a weight loss of between 0.25 and one kilo per week.

Master trainer and lifestyle and wellness coach Daniel Zammit spoke about the importance of physical activity in any form. He urged the older generation to educate the young by giving physical activity the time and focus it needs while stressing that a person becomes fit based on their physical, spiritual, social and mental wellbeing.

At the end of the seminar, attendees were invited to heart-healthy refreshments and to register for the Flora pro.activ 3 week challenge as a natural way of reducing raised cholesterol. Participants were also given heart healthy recipes, a 50 per cent discount voucher for a cholesterol test at MLS Medical Laboratory Services as well as a free session at Platinum Health and Fitness Club.

The next seminars are being held tomorrow at the Dolmen Hotel, Buġibba, and on April 7 on the occasion of World Health Day at the Excelsior Hotel, Floriana. Both seminars are already fully booked. Those interested in registering for future seminars are may e-mail info@mz.com.mt.

The seminars are organised by Flora pro.activ and supported by Atlas Healthcare, agents for AXA PPP healthcare and MLS Medical Laboratory Services.

Flora pro.activ is part of a range of Flora products imported and distributed by M&Z (Marketing) Ltd.

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