Cardioprotective Diets

Question 1

Primary target of therapy for CVD risk factor

Answer 1

< 70 mg/dl with high CV risk

< 100 mg/dl with low CV risk

Question 2

What are the CVD risk factors?

Answer 2

HDL <40 mg/dl in men and <50 mg/dl in women
Triglycerides > 175 mg/dl
HTN > 120/80 mmHg
Elevated fasting glucose > 100 mg/dl

Question 3

What constitutes a Western diet

Answer 3

• high glycemic load
• incorrect fatty acid composition
• inappropriate macronutrient composition
• lack of micronutrient density
• acid-base imbalance
• high Na/K ratio
• low fiber content
• chemical content

Question 4

What NOT to eat?

Answer 4

Trans fats: fats, oils, foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils
Processed meats (limit 2/wk)
Limit intake of nitrites/nitrates
Limit salt and saturated fat intake

Question 5

Dietary fats

Answer 5

• saturated, mono/polyunsaturated
• long, unbranched hydrocarbon chain
• omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• trans fat

Question 6

Sugar and alcohol

Answer 6

Limit sugar to 5 sv/week

alcohol limit to 2/d (men) and 1/d (women)

Question 7

effects of limiting alcohol intake

Answer 7

increase HDL, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce systemic inflammation

Question 8

Links with sodium intake

Answer 8

-increased BP (which accounts for 2/3 of stroke and 1/3 of CHD)

Question 9

DASH (dietary efforts to stop HTN)

Answer 9

• Emphasize fruits, vegetables, low fat-dairy, whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts
• avoid red meat, sweets
• AVOID SODIUM
• increase potassium

Question 10

Limit sodium intake, what is the recommendation

Answer 10

usually <2,300 mg/d but recommended <1,500 mg/d

Question 11

Mediterranean Food Pyramid

Answer 11

• more of a real eating pattern as opposed to elimination of something
• low fat = <10% calories from fat

Question 12

What makes the mediterranean diet special?

Answer 12

-abundant plant foods, fruits and veggies, dairy, poultry and fish, low red meat, selenium, glutathione, n-6/n-3 ratio, fiber, antioxidants, vit e and c

Question 13

What to eat?

Answer 13

• fruits (4-5 sv/day)
• veggies (4-5 sv/day)
• whole grains (3+ sv/day)
• fish/shellfish (2 sv/wk)
• nuts (4-5 sv/wk)
• dairy products (2-3 sv/day)
• vegetable oils (2-6 sv/day)