What nutrients are best for my heart?

Q:

I have a family history of cardiovascular disease, but it’s hard to find time to work out. What else can I do to help my heart?

A:

To help your heart without hitting the gym, we recommend a two-pronged approach:

(1) Eat 1⁄2 cup of cruciferous veggies daily. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that folks who made no other changes to their daily diet cut the risk of calcium buildup in the aorta, the leading cause of heart attack and stroke, in half. That’s as good as regular exercise! Credit goes to cruciferous veggies’ unique abundance of vitamin K, a nutrient that helps ferry calcium into bones, where it belongs, rather than letting it deposit in arteries.

(2) Try glucosamine and chondroitin daily. New West Virginia University research found that these compounds, known for aiding cartilage and joints, have an anti-inflammatory effect that shields the heart. One to try: Kirkland Extra Strength Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Costco.com), which combines the study-recommended 1,500 mg. of glucosamine and

1,200 mg. of chondroitin.