Keeping arteries young

The blood vessels that carry oxygen throughout your body get stiffer over time, which can put you at risk for heart attack, stroke, dementia and a wide range of other health problems.

But you can slow down how fast your arteries age, doctors say:

Eat less salt. Many people focus on fat and calories in foods, but too much salt may be the worst thing for your arteries.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. According to one recent study, cells that regulate bloodflow inside arteries become 6 percent more effective with each daily serving of fresh produce.

Do regular aerobic exercise. Workouts increase the production of nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes and dilates blood vessels.

Don't cheat on your diet (at least not often). A single fatty meal can strain your arteries. Within a few hours of loading up on saturated or trans fats, in fact, your blood vessels are likely to be narrower and working harder move blood along.

Lose excess weight. Arteries stiffen as people gain weight, especially if the fat accumulates deep within the abdomen.

Frozen dinners are convenient, but many also are high in fat, calories and salt. Here's advice from dietitians on making the meals as nutritious as possible.

Read labels. Aim for entrees with fewer than 400 calories and no more than 30 percent of those calories from fat. Keep saturated fat at less than 6 grams -- less than 4 if possible -- and sodium under 600 milligrams.

Check the ingredients. You want meals with lots of vegetables, lean grilled meats and whole grains such as brown rice.

Watch portion sizes. A package marketed as a single meal actually might contain several servings.

Supplement with healthy sides. Add vitamins, protein and calcium by pairing a frozen dinner with a small salad, fruit cup, low-fat yogurt with berries or a glass of low-fat milk.

Don't be fooled by advertising. A package marked with words such as "healthy," "natural" or "organic" isn't necessarily good for you.

Daily Press