Scots Challenged to Go Veggie to Improve Heart Health
Press Conference In advance of World Heart Day on Sunday 30 September, the Viva Health – a leading health and nutrition charity championing the benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets – is launching a healthy heart campaign in Glasgow. All Scottish media are invited to the campaign launch at 11am, Friday 28 September at The Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. Viva Health nutritionist Amanda Woodvine will give a brief presentation and be available for interview. Press packs will be available, as will free blood pressure tests and complimentary press passes to The Incredible Veggie Roadshow, Glasgow.* Says Ms Woodvine: “The VVF has chosen a Scottish launch as 83.4% of Glaswegians – around half a million people – have high blood pressure (over 130/85). This rate is higher than any other city in the UK. There is strong scientific evidence showing that vegetarian and vegan diets can be used to prevent and treat high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and even reverse heart disease. “We’ve a wealth of new resources to steer people towards a heart-healthy diet. Our new A5 full-colour guide, Have a Heart, is brimming with information, tips and easy-to-follow recipes showing how to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as heart disease and stroke. It also demonstrates simple disease-busting changes you can make to your meals – with results that will please everyone!” Viva Health has also produced: A scientific fact sheet, Plant-Based Diets and Cardiovascular Disease, which investigates the causes of CVD and explains how a plant-based diet can be used to both prevent and treat the UK’s biggest health problem; – A handy pocket-sized guide, Know Your Numbers, Blood Pressure, which gives the low-down on blood pressure and explains why a plant-based diet is the perfect way to lower it – and how it is the totality of the diet that works, not any specific ingredient; – Car stickers you can customize with your own blood pressure numbers – “My blood pressure? Only 110/68 because I’m vegetarian’. V
iva Health staff will be taking these campaign resources on a nationwide tour of talks and heart healthy cookery demonstrations, where people can have a free blood pressure check and receive free one-to-one nutritional advice on how to change their diet to lower their risk of CVD. Following the press launch, Viva Health staff will attend the Viva! Incredible Veggie Roadshow at The Royal Concert Hall in Sauchiehall Street on Saturday 29 September. At the roadshow, which is just £1 to attend, members of the public will be able to purchase a copy of our Have a Heart guide and other resources, have their blood pressure measured, find out the most heart healthy foods to eat with our inspirational “Have a Heart’ talk, sample free heart-healthy foods, and receive free personalised nutritional advice. Jane Easton, Food & Cookery Coordinator for the Viva Health, who will be providing cookery demonstrations at the Roadshow says: “I come from working class Scottish parents. My paternal grandfather died from a heart attack in his 60s, brought about by the traditional Glasgow diet. I’ve also watched other members of my family succumb to unnecessary and debilitating ill health, all lifestyle induced. “Growing up, I too ate like that; it wasn’t until I started reading books about veggie diets and health that I realised such a fate wasn’t inevitable or even normal. I’m now a vegan in my 50s but far fitter and healthier than the rest of my family put together (those that are still alive, that is) Come to the Roadshow and learn how to cook an amazing range of food that’s both healthy and delicious. Glasgow has a fantastic range of shops and eateries – learn where to buy all you need.”
For further information or for an interview contact: Amanda Woodvine, Viva Health nutritionist, on 0117 970 5190. Or amanda@vegetarian.org.uk
Dr Justine Butler, VVF senior health campaigner, on 0117 970 5190 or justine@vegetarian.org.uk
Tony Wardle, associate director Viva Health, on 0117 970 5190
Have a Heart RSVP I will/will not (please delete as appropriate) be attending the press conference, 10.40am for 11am start. Name(s): Media title: Address: Tel: Email: Email to: amanda@vegetarian.org.uk -ends- Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation 8 York Court Wilder Street Bristol BS2 8QH http://www.vegetarian.org.uk Tel: 0117 970 5190 * Saturday 29 September 2007, 10.30am to 4.30pm The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow (Strathclyde Suite, Level 3)
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
View author page | View staff profile
