Preventing Heart Disease
Did you know. - Heart disease is currently the number one cause of death for both men and women, accounting for nearly 725,000 annual deaths in the United States during 1998.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, affecting approximately 7 million Americans. CAD occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed with fatty deposits, making it difficult for oxygenated blood to reach the heart. CAD is a very serious condition, since obstructed arteries can lead to a heart attack, stroke or even death.
- Coronary artery disease is difficult to detect in the early stages and most people do not realize they have it until the condition has advanced to a very serious stage.
- Risk factors for coronary heart disease include high blood pressure, genetics, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, diet and physical inactivity - many of which can be controlled.
Benefits of Fiber.
- High intakes of soluble fiber reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease including a reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol.1,2,3
- A diet high in fiber has been associated with a reduced risk of obesity. It is hypothesized that high-fiber foods favorably impact satiety and slow gastric emptying, therefore sustaining a sense of fullness that hinders
overeating.4
- Increasing your intake of fiber may reduce your risk of hypertension.5
- Increased intake of dietary fiber appears to improve insulin action and may protect against insulin resistance and the development of type II diabetes.6
- High-fiber intake has beneficial effects on triglyceride levels.7
References:
1. Jenkins DJ, et al. Effect of a very-high-fiber vegetable fruit, and nut diet on serum lipids and colonic function. Metabolism 2001 Apr:50(4):494-503.
2. Fernandez ML. Soluble fiber and nondigestive carbohydrate effects on plasma lipids and cardiovascular risk. Curr Opin Lipidol 2001 Feb;12(1):35-40.
3. Bazzano LA, et al. Legume consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women: NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Arch Intern Med 2001 Nov 26;161(21):2573-8.
4. Howarth NC, et al. Dietary fiber and weight reduction. Nutr Rev 2001 May;59(5):129-39.
5. Burke V, et al. Dietary protein and soluble fiber reduce ambulatory blood pressure in treated hypertensives. Hypertension 2001 Oct;38(4):821-6.
6. Bessesen DH. The role of carbohydrates in insulin resistance. J Nutr 2001 Oct;131(10):2782S-2786S.
7. Anderson JW. Dietary fiber prevents carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2000 Nov;2(6):536-41. This information was brought to you by the USANA Science Information Services Staff. For a PDF printable version, please visit the Health News