Dietary Factors in Preventing Heart Disease As coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the UK, more attention should be paid to preventing the disease. Many patients suffering from heart disease realise that it was mainly caused by their diet. Research has shown that elevated levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with increased risk of heart disease. “ Studies indicate that for every 1% elevation in the bad cholesterol there is a 2% increase in risk of heart disease” (A leaflet on heart disease.) Continually it has been proved that a low-fat, high fibre diet rich in unrefined complex carbohydrates helps lower the risk of heart disease and improve general heart health. “ Professor Kay-tee khaw studied 19,496 people aged between 45 and 79, he found that these with the highest vitamin C intakes had the lowest heart death rates.” (http://news-bbc-co.uk) Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is commonly used to boost the immune system to ward of colds or flu; vitamin C is on antioxidant that d...
One piece of evidence I have comes from a document called, "Understanding the Value of Multivitamin." In this document the author, Komaroff, A.L, says, "... For example, a deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy." In this line Komaroff is stating how Vitamin C can cause scurvy, which is a disease that makes us lose our teeth and so much more. In the same document they then stated, "... Such severe vitamin Deficiency are rarely seen in the developed countries. However, eating foods rich in vitamins still brings benefits… " So even if you wouldn't take multivitamins to get rid of vitamin deficiency diseases you can still take it to rid of other major killers. These major
Since 1960 the age-adjusted mortality rates for cardiovascular disease (CVD) has declined steadily in the U.S. due to multiple factors, but still remains one of the primary causes of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Greater control of risk factors and improved treatments for cardiovascular disease has significantly contributed to this decline (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). In the U.S. alone it claims approximately 830,000 each year and accounts for 1/6 of all deaths under the age of 65 (Weiss and Lonnquist, 2011). Based on the 2007 mortality rate data an average of 1 death every 37 seconds is due to cardiovascular disease (Lloyd-Jones et al., 2009). Controlling and reducing risk factors is crucial for saving lives. There are a number of contributing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which may appear in the form of hereditary, behavioral, and psychological, all of which ultimately converge in social or cultural factors.
Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Cardiovascular Disease, or CVD, is Britains biggest killer, responsible for 40% of premature deaths in Britain. CVD is a comprehensive term for several afflictions of the cardiovascular system - the heart and blood vessels of the body. These afflictions are Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, Angina, Coronary Thrombosis and Myocardial Infarction and Stroke. Apart from the high mortality rate - it is estimated that CVD kills 140,000 people a year under 75 years old, chronic heart disease causes incapacitation, suffering and pain in many of it's victims. Much heart disease is also self-inflicted and therefore avoidable.
As opposed to the 19th century where the prevalence of preventable infectious disease was the leading cause of mortality, we face a new challenge today: decreasing the occurrence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and strokes. Overwhelmingly so, cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer in the United States. This can be attributed to the state of poor psychological health and poor behavioral choices promoted by a variety of biological, psychological, and social influences. A healthier lifestyle is linked to a longer lifespan and better quality of life for an individual, so in order to promote a healthier lifestyle the dangers and risks of everyday life must be recognizable and approachable. Current questions I want to answer is; What is the most effective heart disease prevention, onset, and intervention methods? Looking through the biopsychosocial model scope is useful because it is a recent and practical framework to implement and operationalize.
One of the leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease. “Approximately every 29 seconds one American will have a heart attack, and once a minute one American will die from a heart attack” (Ford-Martin and Odle, 915). According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 are considered at risk for heart disease. Heart disease is a major cause of death. It is beneficial to individuals who seek to prevent heart disease to recognize the risks leading to heart attacks as they are one of the primary indications of developing heart disease; especially those that fall into the at risk age groups. These risks consist of some that cannot be changed such as heredity risks, or those that can change such as smoking habits. It is very important to know these specific risks for prevention and to understand the symptoms of heart attacks, such as sweating or the feeling of weakness so if these or other symptoms occur people are aware. Finally heart disease treatment is of vital importance if you experience a heart attack so you can learn how to prevent another one from occurring.
There are preventive measures that can be taken to prevent coronary heart disease. Go to the doctor and get a regularly routine checkup. Mainly have a healthy lifestyle by having a healthy diet; this diet should include a low salt intake, whole grain foods, low fat/ fat free diary, meats (lean), fruits , vegetables, nuts, and water. Also physical activities or being active decrease the chances of getting CHD.
“You can prevent heart disease by eating real, healthy food”(The Real Cause of Heart Disease). Food related diseases are a big problem in America. One of those problems is heart disease. Heart disease is becoming a real problem because people buying junk food in result of getting diseases due to eating bad foods when they should be eating foods with lots nutrition, minerals, proteins, and vitamins.
Experts note that an anti-inflammatory diet is very similar to the Mediterranean diet, a heart-healthy way of eating that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains. One study of more than 1.5 million healthy adults showed a marked reduction in risk of heart disease death, cancer death, and development of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Another study, published in 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a 30 percent reduction in heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease among participants who switched to a Mediterranean diet.
Saturated fat and cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease. Fiber and a reduced risk of cancer. Fruit, vegetables and grain products that contain fiber and a reduced risk of heart disease.
The Omega-3's are widely recognized for their role in heart health. Not only do these fatty acids help healthy hearts, they also benefit those with cardiovascular disease. Research has proved atherosclerotic plaque reduces with consistent consumption of omega-3's. Further, incidences of irregular heartbeats decline with these fatty acids; high blood pressure has been known to slightly drops as well.
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is needed for growth and maintenance of healthy tissues, especially skin, blood vessels, bones, gums, teeth. Vitamin C aids in resistance against infection and healing of wounds. It also helps the body absorb iron from food. Vitamin C can be found in green vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon. A lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, iron deficiency and poor wound healing. A healthy diet should include a high amount of vitamin C because the human body cannot produce its own vitamin C.
The tendency to build up high cholesterol may run in families, but extremely high levels are usually the result of a poor diet high in saturated fats and calories, along with little or no exercise. In some cases, high levels of cholesterol may be associated with undiagnosed medical symptoms such as diabetes or low thyroid function. According to the American Heart Association, there would eventually be a 50 percent lower rate of heart disease if Americans would lower their blood cholesterol levels by 25 percent. These statements find confirmation in a 1984 report done by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institution on the results of a 10 year study. It showed that for every 1 percent of lowered cholesterol, the chances of a heart attack are lowered by 2 percent.
A low fat heart healthy diet is my idea of the best nutritional diet, especially since heart disease is the number one killer among people in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is very prevalent in my family. I lost both, paternal and maternal grandparents to heart disease. My father has severe heart disease, and my mother and brother are both hypertensive and require medication; therefore, I know I’m especially vulnerable to this disease.
Vitamins, a group of organic substances required in our diets in small amounts for growth and nutrition, are usually found in foodstuffs or taken as supplements. Yet vitamins probably present a wider gap between myth and reality in the layman's understanding than almost any other area of our diet. Surveys have found that while a majority of Americans do take vitamin supplements on a regular or occasional basis for reason of health concerns, there exists enormous confusion about the actual purpose and benefits of this practice ("Use of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the United States," 1990:161). Most people have a recognition that Vitamin C prevents scurvy, that Vitamin A is found in fish-liver oils, or that Vitamin D is found in dairy products; many people believe that Vitamin E preserves youth and prevents sterility, or that Vitamin C can present colds and cancer. Beyond this, however, there is still considerable ignorance and widespread myth.
Studies have shown, people that eat right and exercise live longer. Eating fattening foods clogs your heart with cholesterol and fat. People that do not exercise and continue to eat unhealthy foods will slow their metabolism. This is why over 70% of our society are overweight today. My grandfather has had problems with his heart in the past mostly because he was very overweight and eating the wrong foods. The doctor advised him to exercise and eat right. Now, after two years of following this advice, his heart is stronger than ever. The doctor informed him that at least ten years has been added to his life. Exercising and eati...