Heart Health & Fat Loss

Heart Health & Fat Loss

When it comes to thinking about the benefits of exercising, especially the goals you would LOVE to achieve, what do you think about? “How do I go about it?”… “How many days a week should I do resistance training?”… “How many times per week & how long should I do cardio?”… “Are there any supplements that will help me burn fat more effectively?” Sound familiar? Well, the most important aspect of getting on the road to a healthier & better looking YOU is to be diligent and go after your long-term goals one step at a time! Be sure to set aside time AT LEAST 3 days per week to hit the gym and do cardio!

One of the most frequently asked questions that I hear almost daily is: “Are there any supplements that I can add to my diet to speed up the fat loss process?” It is important to be mindful that weight loss is not necessarily indicative of proper nutrition. Many individuals believe that in order to lose weight, they must eliminate fat from their diet. Scientific research has showed us that this can be very harmful as certain types of “healthy” fats are critical to proper function of the body.

These beneficial fats are known as Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s). They are essential because your body cannot produce them on it’s own. They must come from your diet. The two primary EFA’s are known as linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). These EFA’s are necessary for many beneficial processes within the body such as: the formation of healthy cell membranes; proper thyroid and adrenal activity; hormone production; proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system; and they are even crucial for the transport and breakdown of cholesterol.

Another beneficial supplement that can act as a catalyst in your body fat reduction is Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and all of the studies I’ve reviewed suggest that benefits of CLA can include: an increase of your metabolic rate; reduction of abdominal fat; lowering of cholesterol and triglycerides; stimulation of muscle growth as well as enhancement of the immune system. Both EFA’s and the CLA’s have many heart- healthy benefits as well as the power to boost your metabolism and aid in reduction of unwanted body fat. I do however suggest you speak with a health professional or qualified trainer concerning the dosage and implementation of these two before adding them into your overall program. Now, lets get to your favorite gym and put these two power packed immune-building, fat-burning supplements to work!

Michael Prince RN, BSN, CPT has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for over 17 years and is the co-owner of 360 Fitness, an industry leader in personal training and group fitness. As a fitness trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers, featured commentator for several news stations, he is a registered nurse, father of 3 beautiful children, and husband to Melinda Prince his amazing wife and business partner of over 15 years.