Nutritional Aspects of CVD

Question 1

What are prevention strategies of CVD?

Answer 1

Tackling poor diet and physical inactivity.
Smoking cessation.
Optimising diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Question 2

What are some pro-atherogenic dietary components?

Answer 2

Cholesterol.
Saturated and trans FAs.
Sodium - influences thrombosis, affects BP.
Alcohol - habitual heavy drinking and acute consumption increases stroke risk.

Question 3

What are some anti-atherogenic dietary components?

Answer 3

n-6 PUFA - in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds.
n-3 PUFA - reduces TAGs, little effect on LDL; anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic.
Monounsaturated FAs - oleic acid reduces cholesterol.
Carbohydrates - reduces fat intake.
Antioxidants - defence against activated oxygen species.

Question 4

What is fish oil?

Answer 4

Contains long-chain n-3 PUFA.
Significant benefits with prior MI.
Reduces sudden death and non-fatal MIs.
Marine Omega 3 PUFA - associated with a lower risk of mortality.

Question 5

What is n-3 PUFA?

Answer 5

Reduces arrhythmias, thrombosis and BP.
Promotes plaque stability - reduces smooth muscle growth factors, chemoattractants and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Question 6

What are whole grain foods?

Answer 6

Wheat fibre is negatively associated with CHD rates; oats lower serum cholesterol.
Provides beta-glucans and fibres that promote gut microbiota, reducing CVD risk.
Beta-glucans decrease cholesterol.
A variety of starchy food is advised.

Question 7

What gut microbiota promote atherosclerosis?

Answer 7

The ones that digest meat, eggs, and cheese convert molecules when metabolised.

Question 8

What is an example of how nutrition can affect individuals differently?

Answer 8

A polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene causes homozygous individuals to be more susceptible to dietary salt.

Question 9

How can dietary responses in populations lead to optimised nutritional management?

Answer 9

Dietary components can alter DNA structure, gene expression, and metabolism. Impacts disease initiation, development, or progression.
Genetic variation influences how nutrients are metabolised, stored, and excreted in the body.

Question 10

What is a ‘healthy’ diet?

Answer 10

Saturated FAs.
Replace polyunsaturated and trans FAs.
Mainly n-6 PUFA for reducing cholesterol.
FIbre, fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables.
Low salt, soft drinks, and alcohol.