According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 785,000 Americans will suffer a coronary attack and 470,000 will have a recurring coronary attack in 2010. People can reduce the risk of a cardiovascular disease by changing their diet. Choosing a healthy diet is an effective way of staving off coronary artery disease.
Significance
Coronary artery disease is a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. "Physiology of Sport and Exercise" by Jack Wilmore and David Costill states that when the coronary arteries narrow, the heart is unable to get enough blood to perform its job. When a deficiency of blood supply occurs, the heart muscle can become ischmeic and may suffer a heart attack.
Risk Factors
Risk factors that cause coronary artery disease can be seperated into two categories: controllable and uncontrollable, states Wilmore and Costill. Uncontrollable risk factors are gender, age and heredity. Those risk factors that are changeable are smoking, hypertension, elevated cholesterol and blood lipids, physical inactivity, obesity and diabetes and insulin resistance. Of these controllable risk factors several of them can be prevented or treated with a healthy diet.
Fats And Cholesterol
Cholesterol can be placed into two different classes, states Wilmore and Costill. High density lipoprotein cholesterol or HDL helps to transport cholesterol out of the arterial walls. Good HDL levels are above 50mg per deciliter or mg/dl of blood. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol or LDL is responsible for depositing cholesterol on the arterial walls. LDL cholesterol should fall below 100mg/dl. In a study published in the American Heart Association's journal, "The Lancet," dietary interventions including decreased cholesterol were administered to men with coronary heart disease. The study showed that decreased cholesterol and fat intake slowed progression and decreased regression of coronary artery disease. Ideally, an individual should ingest only 300mg of cholesterol per day from food, according to "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversy" by Frances Sizer and Eleanor Whitney. A diet should be low in saturated fats and trans fatty acids to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
Carbohydrates And Fiber
Carbohydrates that contain soluble fiber can offer protection against developing coronary artery disease. Sizer and Whitney explain that fiber can help lower cholesterol by delaying the absorption of cholesterol and fats in the digestive tract. Moreover, bile binds to the fiber and is excreted as waste. When digested, fiber is sometimes broken down by intestinal bacteria. When this occurs, a byproduct are small fat like deposits, that when ingested, have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol. The recommended daily intake of fiber is 25 to 30g for a person eating a 2,000 calorie diet.
Proteins
For someone eating to prevent coronary artery disease, proteins should come from low fat, healthy sources. Sizer and Whitney state that 50g of protein should be taken in per day. Protein from lean meats and low fat dairy are the most recommended.
References
- The American Heart Association
- "The Physiology of Sport and Exercise"; Wilmore, Jack; Costill, David; 2004
- "Effects on coronary artery disease of lipid-lowering diet, or diet plus cholestyramine, in the St Thomas' Atherosclerosis Regression Study (STARS)"; G. F. Watts DMa, , B. Lewis MD, Profb, E. S. Lewis BAb, D. J. Coltart FRCPc, L. D. R. Smith MRCPc, A. V. Swan PhDd, J. N. H. Brunt PhDe and J. I. Mann MD, Proff; 1992.
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies" Sizer, Francis; Whitney, Eleanor; 2003
