A gentler approach to heart-healthy fitness

This Week's Tip A gentler approach to heart-healthy fitness Yoga is probably best known for its flexibility benefits, along with its ability to help you sleep better and promote mindfulness. But yoga has also been shown to be a powerful contributor to heart health. In fact, according to research published in the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, those who practice yoga have higher heart rate variability and stronger parasympathetic control, both of which are signs of a healthier heart. Another recent study by Ohio State University researchers, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, found that women who routinely practiced yoga had lower levels of the cytokine interleukin-6 (which is correlated with heart disease) in their blood. Scientists believe that this indicates that yoga may also help people respond more calmly to stress in their everyday lives, which is a boon to heart health. Reap the heart-healthy benefits of yoga with just 20 minutes of practice three times a week. Here's how to get started. A Beginner's Guide to Yoga » More Tips for Heart Health » Heart Friendly Recipe Herbed Bulgur and Lentil Salad This recipe is part of "The SparkPeople Cookbook." Order your copy today! This salad is even better the longer it sits in the fridge, so we love to make a big batch of it and eat it throughout the week. Get the Recipe See More Healthy Heart Recipes » Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe: 8  Amount Per Serving  Calories: 159.2 Total Fat: 7.1 g Cholesterol: 0.0 mg Sodium: 300.4 mg Total Carbs: 21.0 g   Dietary Fiber: 5.7 g Protein: 4.8 g View full nutritional breakdown of Herbed Bulgur and Lentil Salad by ingredient Join the movement by clicking the link below to earn your SparkPoints, or connecting with SparkPeople in one of these other ways: UNSUBSCRIBE © 2017 SparkPeople, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms | Privacy | Manage Emails