"HEART SMART" Antioxidants In the lifelong, insidious process of heart disease, the fat we eat gradually gets deposited inside our arteries. This process, called atherosclerosis, is the primary cause of heart attacks, angina and other cardiac syndromes. Evidence over the last several years has demonstrated that a necessary step in atherosclerosis is the oxidation of the fat before it gets absorbed into the arterial wall. Antioxidant supplements (in particular, vitamin E) help block this process. The risk of a heart attack was demonstrated to be significantly lower in patients taking vitamin E in a recent large study (the 'CHAOS' trial). A recent survey of American cardiologists revealed that almost 50% routinely take antioxidant supplements - the majority of those take vitamin E. Standard dosing of vitamin E is 400 IU per day, but before taking anything its always best to check with your doctor. Stephens, Parsons, Schofield, Kelly, Cheeseman, Mitchinson. Randomized controlled trial of vitamin E in patients with coronary artery disease: Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (CHAOS). Lancet 1996;347:781-786. Mehta. Intake of antioxidants among American cardiologists. American Journal of Cardiology 1997; 79: 1558-1560. "The Ancient Art (and Modern Benefit) of Massage" Competitive cyclists have long known about the athletic advantage gained through massage. The road cycling tradition of leg shaving is borne primarily out of the reason that it facilitates good massage (the other reason is that skin grows back faster on hair free legs). After strenuous exercise of a muscle group there is a buildup of metabolic waste products. Among other reasons, these metabolic wastes contribute to the soreness and recovery time required before that muscle may again perform with peak performance. The recovery period can be especially problematic when workouts are closely spaced (i.e. two races/workouts in one day). In these situations a good massage can physically help move metabolites along through the muscles and out into venous drainage. The result: peak performance in minimal recovery time! While a pair of loving hands may feel good any way they rub you, there is a some technique required for an athletic advantage. The key is that the firm smooth strokes are directed along the muscles venous drainage path - towards the heart (i.e. a calf gets massaged toward the knee). I have always been partial to massage oil, but the benefits can be obtained with hand cream or even dry. Now perhaps you can get in that extra mogul run after lunch after a quick massage of your quads in the roundhouse! Matt Fieldwalker, B.Sc., RCPT(C) ABOUT MATT FIELDWALKER Matt Fieldwalker, B.Sc., RCPT(c). Matt was a competitive triathelete and catagory 2 cyclist. He presently works at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hopitals in the cardiology dept.(angioplasty, pacemakers and electrophysiology teams) and continues with new athletic pursuits.