Cardiovascular Health – Eating to Keep Your Heart Beating
Allison Tannis, BSc., MSc.
Many know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, killing
710,760 people each year. However, many do not know about the countless items in our
diet that can help fight heart disease.
A food commonly associated with heart health is fish, or more specifically omega-3 fatty
acids. They help fight cardiovascular disease by reducing platelet clumping potential,
decreasing platelet/vessel wall interactions and altering triglyceride levels. In fact, a study
in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that omega-3 fatty acid
supplementation may be as effective as pharmaceuticals in improving heart health. Also,
a number of studies have noted, omega-3 fatty acids reduce sudden deaths from
cardiovascular disease, in post myocardial infarct patients, by 45%. Obviously, the
research strongly suggests that fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids can help treat and prevent
cardiovascular disease. This is reflected in the American Heart Association’s
recommendations of 900mg/day of omega-3 fatty acids. However, omega-3 fatty acids
are a hard sell because they do not lower cholesterol levels.
Another less known fact is that there are 286 risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol is the Hollywood star of risk factors. Many medical care systems base their
cardiovascular management around cholesterol, hence the popularity of statins. What
about the other 285 factors? These other factors are just as important, and can be
effectively lowered by some food compounds.
Another risk factor is hyperhomocysteinemia, noted by some as the common, neglected,
treatable cause of atherosclerosis (i.e. a type of cardiovascular disease). This risk factor is
thought to be present in 20% of North Americans due to a genetic mutation which causes
homocystein levels to rise in the blood. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with
deficiencies in vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Studies have shown that
supplementation with these vitamins results in better heart health. Current research is
investigating whether high doses (folic acid 2.5 mg, vitamin B6 25 mg and vitamin B12
400 micrograms per day) are more effective than lower doses, (i.e. such as those found in
multivitamins).
Oats or soluble fiber, are a hot topic of debate with respect to their potential heart health
benefits. Soluble fiber is thought to form a gel, which has a serum cholesterol lowering
effect. Beta-glucan and psyllium are attributed in the United States to a reduced risk of
heart disease. There are two health claims in the United States that support soluble fiber
in the diet as a way to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. However, not everyone agrees
with this data. The Canadian government feels that the evidence is not sufficient and that
the term soluble fiber is too vague. Currently, this area of heart healthy eating is up for
debate.
Diet continues to be stressed as the cornerstone of managing and preventing
cardiovascular disease. Recently, the American Heart Association noted that plant sterols
and viscous fibers (i.e. oat beta-glucans and psyllium) as other dietary options above
reductions in saturated fats (i.e. cholesterol) to maximize diet effectiveness. Whether
these dietary interventions have an additional or synergic effect, is unknown, but perhaps
likely if mechanisms of action are considered. A study by Dr. David Jenkins of the
University of Toronto, subjected patients to a diet which emphasized viscous fiber, oat
beta-glucans, plant sterols and vegetable protein, particularly soy and almonds. The diet
was found to reduce LDL-cholesterol to the same effect as statins. The strength of this
research and others, is reflected in three the United States health claims: two associating
dietary soluble fiber and a lowered risk of heart disease, and one associating dietary soy
and a serum cholesterol lowering effect.
Is it possible for food to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease? Yes. These studies and
many more, indicate that it is possible for diet to manage and prevent heart disease.
There are many ways to offer heart healthy foods. Soy nuts, almonds and fruit and
vegetable bars are just a start. Puresource is proud to offer all natural, science based,
quality oriented natural products like Real Green bars and In Your Face almonds, soy
and other delicious snack foods. For more information call 1-(888)-313-3369.