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Nature Made(R) and First Magazine Kick off February's Heart Health Month with National Dance Contest

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (Business Wire EON) January 31, 2008 -- Starting February 1, people will be able to submit short videos demonstrating their best heart healthy dance moves for a chance to win a variety of prizes, including an opportunity to appear in a Nature Made ad. For each entry submitted by March 15, Nature Made will make a donation to Groove With Me, a New York-based nonprofit organization that teaches leadership, pride and creativity to young girls through dance.

"Numerous studies show that aerobic exercise helps reduce heart disease risk, but as every woman knows, sticking to a routine can be a challenge," says Maggie Jaqua, executive editor, First magazine. "That's why the latest studies showing that a fun activity like dancing can be an effective way to enhance heart health are such welcome news. And when you consider the findings that dancing improves mood, reduces stress and alleviates tiredness, it's easy to see why more women are dancing their way to a healthier mind and body."

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the nation's number one killer, claiming one life every 30 seconds. To reduce the risk, the AHA recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily along with a low-sodium, low-cholesterol diet and staying away from tobacco smoke. Joseph Keenan, M.D., cardiology researcher and professor emeritus, University of Minnesota, says dietary supplements may also be helpful when diet isn't enough.

"Studies show that certain dietary supplements like fish oil, CoQ10 and flaxseed oil can be beneficial to the heart," said Dr. Keenan. "For those trying to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, I often recommend plant sterols and stanols. These plant-derived ingredients have been clinically proven to naturally lower cholesterol and improve heart health. They are present in all fruits and vegetables, but to get enough plant sterols to lower cholesterol you need to eat foods fortified with plant sterols or plant sterol supplements."

For more information on how to enter Nature Made's "Your Heart: Feel the Beat" Dance Contest, pick up a copy of the February 25 issue of First magazine (on newsstands starting February 4), or visit MyFirstForWomen.com starting February 1. Visit NatureMade.com for more heart healthy tips and dietary supplements that can complement a healthful lifestyle.

About Nature Made

For more than 30 years, Pharmavite, maker of Nature Made vitamins, has earned and maintained the trust of pharmacists, consumers, and retailers by manufacturing high-quality vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements that are safe, effective and science-based. As an industry leader, Pharmavite adheres to manufacturing standards recommended by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a not-for-profit organization that has set pharmaceutical and dietary supplement quality standards since 1820. In addition, Pharmavite participates in USP's Verification Program for dietary supplements. The dietary supplement industry is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as by government agencies in each of the 50 states.

About First

First, which reaches over 4.5 million women every three weeks, believes in the power of small victories to spark a positive chain reaction that results in profound personal transformation. By providing the tips and inspirational stories that lead to daily success, the reader is empowered to achieve her life-long dreams. First transforms lives - and the world - one tip at a time.

About Groove With Me

Groove With Me, Inc. (groovewithme.org) is a youth development organization that uses free dance classes and performance opportunities as tools to instill in young women the leadership, pride, spirit of cooperation, creativity, joy and discipline needed to confront the adversity in their daily lives. The program seeks to decrease teen pregnancy, truancy, crime, violence, prostitution, substance abuse and gang related activity by nurturing youth, building self-confidence, offering positive choices, and providing a safe place to go.

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