Meeting the demands of everyday life may be a real challenge. Juggling time with family, career, and social life while dealing with workload, traffic, bills, and other concerns may leave us feeling tired or stressed out. 

In the midst of busyness, some tend to neglect one of the most important principles in life - "health is wealth."

Love your heart

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death among Filipinos, according to the  Philippine Statistics Authority.

In addition,  experts have found that 1 out of 2 Filipino adults have borderline to high levels of bad cholesterol, making the Philippines one of the Southeast Asian countries with the highest rates of elevated LDL cholesterol.¹   

Screenshot source: Del Monte  

It is important for Filipinos to prioritize their health by adopting a heart-healthy diet, staying active, avoiding toxic habits, managing stress, and paying attention to their bodies.  

Know and manage your cholesterol levels

Adults should check their cholesterol levels  every five years. Men who are 35 years old and above and women aged 20 to 45 are  advised to get their lipid profiles tested, especially if they are at risk for cardiovascular diseases. 

Cholesterol has  two types: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). 

HDL, the "good" cholesterol, carries cholesterol to the liver, which helps ensures that there is just enough for the body's needs and gets rid of the rest. LDL, meanwhile, contributes to heart disease

Checking cholesterol levels is advisable to determine how to manage your cholesterol and whether lifestyle and dietary changes should be implemented. This may be measured with the  lipid profile test. It monitors overall cholesterol levels and reviews the risk for heart disease. HDL ("good cholesterol") should be high (ideally above 60). Meanwhile, LDL ("bad cholesterol") should be below 100. 

High cholesterol can be  genetic or caused by lifestyle choices such as lack of physical activity, poor diet, and smoking. That is why  lifestyle changes are crucial to improving cholesterol. Knowing how to manage it is a good start.

Photo source: Cleveland Clinic 

Start your healthy habits now

Regular physical activity may raise good cholesterol and lower the bad kind. You may start with simple workouts as short as 30 minutes daily, at least five times a week. To add fun to it, take an exercise buddy, and integrate brisk walking, jogging, biking, dancing, and yoga into your day. If you are up for more challenges, try weightlifting and swimming, which also benefit overall health. 

Reduce cholesterol: Choose a fiber-enriched drink

Diet is vital for your overall health and to help reduce the risk of certain diseases. Limiting the intake of  saturated fat is crucial, as it may raise cholesterol levels. Saturated fat is commonly found in meat dishes, full-fat dairy products, eggs, and food cooked in tropical oils like coconut and palm.

As an  alternative, opt to eat brown rice, whole-grain bread, whole-wheat pasta, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel and salmon. Additionally,  vegetable oils may also help lower bad cholesterol.

Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice Heart Smart is a good addition to the diet, along with proper diet, daily activities, and rest. It has no added sugar, making it a healthy and delicious way to help manage cholesterol. This beverage is made from freshly squeezed pineapple juice and is fortified with Reducol^TM. 

A unique blend of phytosterols and phytostanols, Reducol^TM blocks cholesterol absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.² Clinical studies show that Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice Heart Smart helps lower cholesterol as early as four weeks when combined with proper diet and regular exercise. It is advised to drink two glasses per day to reap the full benefits.

Photo source: Del Monte 

While Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice Heart Smart is suitable for most individuals, pregnant and breastfeeding women, children below five years old, and those with diabetes need to consult a healthcare professional before adding it to their diet.

Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice Heart Smart is available in a 220mL Can and 1 Liter Tetra Pak. Visit this  website for more information. The product is also available at Del Monte’s e-commerce shops in  Lazada,  Shopee, and  TikTok Shop.

References:

Food and Nutrition Research Institute 2013 National Nutrition Survey (NNS)¹ 

ReducolTM Phytosterol and Phytostanol Blend. (n.d.). In www.ashland.com²