Nutritional Aspects Of Cardiovascular Disease 2

Question 1

What are the dietary recommendations?

Answer 1

Healthy adults shall reduce their salt intake

High salt intake (table or sea salt) increases blood pressure and raises the risk of CHD and stroke

Use spices instead of sodium chloride

Maintain ideal weight by adequate of food intake and energy expenditure

In some cases by weight loss using diet and exercise

Question 2

Describe daily sugar intake

Answer 2

Reduce refined sugar and food with high glycemic index

Foods with a high glycemic index sharply raise blood glucose levels resulting in a strong response in elevated serum insulin

Insulin stimulates hepatic fatty acid synthesis and more VLDLs are released into the blood

Thus can lead to Dyslipidemia and obesity

Question 3

What are the characterizes of soluble fiber?

Answer 3

• Turns into a gel, delays gastric emptying, increasing feeling of satiety
• is fermented by intestinal bacteria
• Reduces bile acid Reabsorption, lowers LDL blood levels

Question 4

What are the characteristics of insoluble fiber ?

Answer 4

• Adds to the bulk of stool
• Helps food pass more quickly
• Stool softener

Question 5

What is the moderate alcohol consumption of alcohol effect on CHD?

Answer 5

1. Moderate consumption of alcohol may decrease the risk of CHD as it can reduce LDL blood levels
2. Red wine is particularly cardioprotective as it contains resveratol which protects against LDL oxidation and also reduces formation of foam cells
3. Beer is rich in B vitamins which are protective against high blood homocysteine levels

Question 6

What is the relation of homocysteine and vascular disease

Answer 6

1. High homocysteine blood level is considered a risk factor for CVD
2. Blood levels are very high in patients with a specific hereditary disease(homocystinuria) who often develop premature vascular disease. Thrombosis is a major cause of early death
3. Individuals with vitamin B deficiency show also high homocysteine levels which can mostly be reduced by supplementation with folate, B6 and B12

Question 7

Which micronutrients protect against CHD?

Answer 7

1. Trace minerals for enzymes that protect against ROS damage
2. Vitamins C and E which work together in water- and lipid-phase
3. Radical scavengers in vegetables, fruit, and spices: phytochemicals, polyphenols, flavonoids, isoprenoids, carotenoids

Question 8

What are the DASH diet recommendations?

Answer 8

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

Food:
1. Low in sodium, reduced intake of processed foods

2. Cooked with no added table salt
3. Low in saturated fats and no trans fats
4. Rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, fiber and protein

Health benefits are:
-Blood pressure is reduced
-LDL in blood are deceased
Weight is reduced

Question 9

What are the components of the DASH diet?

Answer 9

Dietary fats:

• no trans fats
• less palmitate
• increase olive oil
• increase omega-3 fatty acids
• moderate cholesterol Intake
• reduce red meat

Dietary carbohydrates:

• reduce table sugar
• choose carbs with a low GI

Question 10

What are the benefits of the Mediterranean ?

Answer 10

Mediterranean diet when compared the Western Diet has more MUFA and less saturated fatty acids leading to a high oleate/palmitate ratio

The diet is also low in red meat leading overall to reduced CHD risk factors