Approximately 65 percent of individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes die from cardiovascular disease, according to statistics from the National Institutes of Health. The chronically elevated blood sugar levels that accompany diabetes can increase inflammation and the hardening of your heart's arteries -- two underlying causes of heart disease. The ADA Cardiac Diet is a therapeutic diet that may help reduce a diabetic's heart disease risk.
Background
The ADA Cardiac Diet is a mixture of recommendations from the American Diabetic Association and the American Heart Association. This diet plan calls for a strict limit on foods that contribute to heart disease, including trans fat, saturated fat and refined sugars. Instead, diabetics consume whole grains, fruits, legumes, vegetables, nuts and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated-rich oils. Although scientific studies have not specifically investigated the benefits of the ADA Cardiac Diet, many important elements of the diet have been tested for efficacy in human research studies.
Weight Control
Weight control is an important aspect of the ADA Cardiac Diet. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight can help you control your blood sugar levels and reduce the chronic inflammation that contributes to arterial plaque formation. Research published in the September 2006 issue of "Diabetes Care" showed that adopting the principles of the ADA Cardiac Diet -- including increased produce intake and a reduction of dietary fat -- promoted weight control and improved sensitivity to insulin in a group of 1,000 participants.
Decreased Cholesterol
The ADA recommends that diabetics control their blood cholesterol to keep tabs on heart disease risk. High blood cholesterol is defined by a total cholesterol above 200 nanograms per deciliter. A paper published jointly by the ADA and the AHA in the December 2006 issue of "Circulation" advised diabetics to exercise daily, consume a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and eat an abundance of healthy monounsaturated fats and dietary fiber to keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
Lower Blood Pressure
Managing high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is an important aspect of heart disease risk reduction. The ADA Cardiac Diet notes that diabetics should maintain their systolic blood pressure below 130 millimoles of mercury and their diastolic blood pressure at 80 millimoles of mercury or below. Diabetics with high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake and consume large amounts of potassium from fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
References
- National Diabetes Education Program; The Facts About Diabetes and Heart Disease; February 2007
- "ADA Complete Guide to Diabetes: The Ultimate Home Reference from the Diabetes Experts"; American Diabetes Association; 1997
- "Diabetes Journal"; Effect of Weight Loss With Lifestyle Intervention on Risk of Diabetes; R. Hamman et al.; September 2006
- "Circulation"; AHA/ADA Scientific Statement: Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in People With Diabetes Mellitus; J. Buse et al.; December 2006
