"Heart disease and its risks can be modified by certain lifestyle habits including daily exercise and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which include low calorie sources of potassium, fiber, folic acid, and vitamins A, C and E," says Amy Hendel, Nutrilite's Phytonutrient Coach.

To help close the gap and promote heart-friendly lifestyle choices, Hendel, a registered physician assistant and health/wellness expert, offers the following tips:

Cook with Garlic and Onions. Choose to eat and cook with garlic and onions. Garlic offers you the benefits of allicin, a phytonutrient that supports healthy blood pressure. Onions provide the benefit of quercetin, a phytonutrient that also supports healthy blood pressure.Heart-Healthy Snacking. A cup of tea with apple slices, a small piece of dark chocolate or a handful of nuts are all good, heart-healthy snack options. Exercise. It's important to incorporate a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise into your daily routine.Small Changes. Improving your heart health can be as easy as making small changes to your diet.  Toss a handful of blueberries onto your cereal, add some chopped apples to your salad or snack on some grapes. Meeting the Daily Goal. For those having trouble getting enough fruits and vegetables, natural, plant-based supplements can help close the "cardio phytonutrient gap."

SOURCE Nutrilite