Category Archives: Cardiovascular Health

Mediterranean Diet Associated with Improved Endothelial Function in Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

The Mediterranean Diet, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, moderate wine consumption, et cetera, has been found to possess

Photo by Flickr user Roberto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26370317@N03/15715397616)
Photo by Flickr user Roberto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26370317@N03/15715397616)

cardiovascular benefits. Exactly how these heart-healthy benefits come to be is not exactly known, though there are many possible scenarios.

One such example is the functionality of the endothelium (the cells that line the blood vessels). It is known that poor endothelial function is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, though its relationship to the Mediterranean diet is not well known.

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition aimed to examine the relationship between the Mediterranean Diet and endothelial function, as well as possible effects on low-grade inflammation, another problem that has been linked to poor cardiovascular health.

557 adults (aged 59.6 +/- 6.9years) with increased risk for cardiovascular disease were recruited for this study.

Diet information was collected via self-reported questionnaire.

The following indicators for endothelial health were measured for each participant and taken at the beginning of the study, and again after 7 years: von Willenbrand factor, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, soluble endothelial selectin, soluble thrombomodulin, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

The following indicators for low-grade inflammation were measured for each participant and taken at the beginning of the study, and again after 7 years: C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor α, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1.

Other information collected and/or measured included: sex, glucose metabolism, energy intake, BMI, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits.

Important Findings:

  • Higher consumption of fish was associated with better endothelial function after 7 years.
  • Total consumption of vegetables, fruit, alcohol, dairy, or meat had no effect on endothelial function after 7 years.
  • There were no associations between the Mediterranean diet, or component there-in, and low-grade inflammation after 7 years.
  • Higher consumption of lean fish, raw vegetables, and fewer dairy products were associated with better endothelial function after 7 years.
  • Higher consumption of fresh fruit, poultry, fewer high-fat dairy products, and moderate consumption of wine was associated with less low-grade inflammation.

The results of this study indicate that adhering to the Mediterranean diet, specifically increased consumption of lean fish, raw vegetables, moderate consumption of wine and low consumption of dairy products are associated with better

Photo by Flickr user Alpha (http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/348230224)
Photo by Flickr user Alpha (http://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/348230224)

endothelial function and lower low-grade inflammation in adults with a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

These results indicate that endothelial function and inflammation may be at least one of the explanations why those adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet have improved cardiovascular health than those consuming other diets.

Source:

Van Bussel, B.C.T., Henry, R.M.A., Ferreira, I., van Greevenbroek, M.M.J., van der Kallen, C.J.H., Twisk, J.W.R., Feskens, E.J.M., Schalkwijkj, C.G., and Stehouwer, C.D.A. 2015. A healthy diet is associated with less endothelial dysfunction and less low-grade inflammation over a 7-year period in adults at risk of cardiovascular disease. The Journal of Nutrition 145(3): 532-540.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Associated with Lower Risk of Heart Attack

The knowledge that the Mediterranean diet has many health benefits is something that is certainly not lost on The French

Photo by Flickr user  Kai Hendry (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hendry/2848365145)
Photo by Flickr user Kai Hendry (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hendry/2848365145)

Paradox, nor many of our readers. From reducing the risk of diabetes and cancer to weight loss and to cardiovascular benefits, the Mediterranean diet is certainly a lifestyle choice that many people should consider.

A new study in the journal Public Health Nutrition aimed to add to the already long list of studies examining the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health, particularly in regards to non-fatal myocardial infarction (a.k.a. “heart attack”).

760 non-fatal heart attack patients admitted to various hospitals in and around Milan, Italy (580 men and 180 women, between the ages of 19 and 79) were recruited for this study. An additional 682 patients (439 men and 243 women, between the ages of 16 and 79) with non-cardiovascular related ailments also admitted to the same Italian hospitals were recruited as controls.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet for each participant was determined via interview and assigned a Mediterranean Diet Score.

Important Findings:

Continue reading Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Associated with Lower Risk of Heart Attack

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is Associated with Improved Cholesterol Ratios in Spanish Adults

The Mediterranean diet is frequently touted as having many heart healthy benefits to those who stick to it. Specifically, research has

Photo By Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Photo By Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
shown that adherence to the Mediterranean diet improves lipid profiles, including increased “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and reduced “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), reduced triglycerides, and reduced total cholesterol.

A new study in the journal Revista Española de Cardiología aimed to add more evidence to the growing pile by exploring the dietary patterns of Spanish adults and associations with their plasma lipid profiles.

A total of 1290 Spanish adults were included in this study. Diet and exercise patterns were determined by self-reported questionnaires. Previous hospitalizations and family disease history were also collected.

Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for: fasting serum glucose, total glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting serum insulin, and whole blood glycated hemoglobin.

Important Findings:

  • Greater adherence to a Western-style diet (more red meats, sweets, fast-food, etc.) was associated with the lowest levels of “good” cholesterol, and the highest levels of “bad” cholesterol.
  • Greater adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (more veggies, fish, nuts, olive oil, etc) was associated with higher levels of “good” cholesterol, and a lower ratio of triglycerides to “good” cholesterol.

The results of this study add to the growing mountain of evidence

Photo by Flickr user  ebruli (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbling/42712771)
Photo by Flickr user ebruli (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbling/42712771)

supporting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on heart health. According to these results, Spanish adults with good adherence to the Mediterranean diet had better plasma lipid profiles than those sticking to a Western-style diet. Specifically, those eating a Mediterranean diet had greater levels of “good” cholesterol compared with those eating a Western-style diet.

Source:

Peñalvo, J.L., Oliva, B., Sotos-Prieto, M., Uzhova, I., Moreno-Franco, B., León-Latre, M., and Ordovás, J.M. 2015. Greater Adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated With Improved Plasma Lipid Profile: the Aragon Health Workers Study Cohort. Revista Española de Cardiología: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2014.09.018

Daily Nut Consumption Reduces Risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Consumption of nuts has been linked to many health benefits, including benefits to memory, appetite, and cardiovascular health.

Photo by Flickr user  Iain Buchanan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaeden/111015656)
Photo by Flickr user Iain Buchanan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaeden/111015656)

Part of the Mediterranean diet, nuts are considered an important part of daily consumption, and is frequently recommended to those without specific allergies.

A new study in the journal Preventative Medicine has examined the effect of nut consumption on. peripheral arterial disease. While nut consumption is linked to lower risk of certain cardiovascular diseases, the association with the specific cardiovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, is unknown.

This study followed 3,312,403 Americans between 2003 and 2008 who had voluntarily undergone vascular screening tests. Average age was 63.6 +/- 10.6 years, with 62.8% of participants being women, and 86.2% being white.

Nut consumption, diet, and other lifestyle habits were determined for each participant using self-reported questionnaires.

Diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease for participants was determined using systolic blood pressure measurements in both ankles.

Hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension were determined by physician diagnosis.

Important Findings:

  • Out of 3,312,403 participants, there were 219,527 cases of peripheral arterial disease (6.7%).
  • About half of the study population ate nuts fewer than once per week.
  • There was a negative association between nut consumption and presence of peripheral arterial disease.
  • Daily nut consumption was associated with 21% lower odds of developing peripheral arterial disease compared with folks consuming nuts less than once per month.

The results of this study suggest that nut consumption reduces the risk of peripheral arterial disease. Specifically, eating nuts every day lowered the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease by 21%

Photo by Flickr user  Gilles Gonthier (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gillesgonthier/507725888/)
Photo by Flickr user Gilles Gonthier (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gillesgonthier/507725888/)

compared with people who ate nuts less than once per month.

The huge sample size in this study strengthens the results, though the self-reporting nature of these kinds of lifestyle questions could skew the results slightly. Regardless, these results show promise that a daily nut regime might help reduce the risk of peripheral arterial disease.

Source:

Heffron, S.P., Rockman, C.B., Gianos, E., Guo, Y., and Berger, J.S. 2015. Greater frequency of nut consumption is associated with lower prevalence of peripheral arterial disease. Preventative Medicine 72: 15-18.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Increases Serum Bilirubin Levels in Non-Smokers: Possible Mechanism of Health Benefits Found

There have been many studies showing both positive and negative benefits of alcohol consumption, with more of the beneficial studies centering around moderate consumption compared with heavier consumption. Depending upon the definition of “moderate”, even within the moderate consumption “level”, studies have been inconsistent in terms of their findings in relation to human health.

The exact mechanism for supposed health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption is so far unknown, though theories do exist.

Some observed health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption

Photo By Ben Mills (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Photo By Ben Mills (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
include: reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, and in general all-cause mortality. High levels of the antioxidant bilirubin have been observed in people with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, begging the question whether or not moderate alcohol consumption could be at least partially responsible for this increase.

A new study accepted into the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence aimed to examine bilirubin levels after alcohol consumption, in an attempt to create a possible mechanistic link between moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

18 healthy adults (8 smokers) were given alcohol to achieve blood alcohol levels of 20, 80, and 120mg/dL in random order during three sessions separated by one week each time.

Serum bilirubin levels were measured in the morning before the drinking session, at 2pm the day of the drinking session, and in the morning the day after the drinking session.

Important Findings:

  • Serum bilirubin levels increased from baseline to 24 hours post drinking in non-smokers.
  • Serum bilirubin levels DID NOT increase after drinking in smokers.

The results of this study suggest a possible mechanism for reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality after moderate alcohol consumption in non-smokers. For non-smokers, serum bilirubin levels increased, resulting in possible anti-oxidant protection properties for these improved health benefits.

Smokers, on the other hand, were not so lucky, as serum bilirubin levels remained unchanged after moderate alcohol consumption.

Photo courtesy pixabay.com
Photo courtesy pixabay.com

Smoking somehow prevented serum bilirubin levels from increasing, thus negating any possible health benefit of moderate alcohol consumption caused by increased bilirubin levels in the blood.

This study only followed 18 adults, therefore follow up studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm or refute this possible mechanistic link between moderate alcohol consumption, increased serum bilirubin levels, and reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.

Source:

O’Malley, S.S., Gueorguieva, R., Wu, R., and Jatlow, P.I. 2015. Acute Alcohol Consumption Elevates Serum Bilirubin, an Endogenous Antioxidant. Drug and Alcohol Dependence: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.023