With today being Valentine’s Day and February being American Heart Month, and today being Valentine’s Day, there’s no better time to explore how biotechnology has benefited one of mankind’s most vital organs, the heart. Question: When was the first American Heart Month?

We often view the heart as a representation of love and joyfulness, but heart complications have plagued man for some time. According to the American Heart Association, in the 1960s more than half of the deaths in the U.S. were caused by cardiovascular disease. Today, heart disease is still the leading cause of death with more than 17.9 million people succumbing to the disease each year. In the future, that number is only expected to go up.

So, where does biotechnology come into play?  Well, as you probably are aware, one of the best nutrients to improve heart health is a type of fatty acid known as Omega-3. Omega-3s cannot be manufactured, so the best place to get them is through your diet. Using biotechnology, we can enhance Omega-3-rich foods to increase their availability and nutritional value.

Canola, soyabean  and salmon are best sources.

With the rate of heart disease not slowing down, we’ll need to continue looking at ways to improve crops, like canola and soybean, and meats and seafood, like salmon, to ensure we maintain a steady supply of Omega-3-rich foods.

In December 1963, then-President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed February as American Heart Month. The following February (1964) marked the first recognition of American Heart Month, which has been recognized every year since.