Browsed by
Tag: cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Food categories that could reduce cardiovascular risk.

Food categories that could reduce cardiovascular risk.

Comments 0 Comment

Researchers looked into how various meal groups affected cardiovascular health. They discovered a relationship between lower cardiovascular risk and diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole-fat dairy, and fish.

To determine how much each element contributes to risk reduction overall, more research is required. A significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an unhealthy diet.

Higher intakes of processed meats, refined cereals, and sugar-sweetened beverages. These in particular, are known to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Likewise, there is a correlation between lower CVD risk with diets like the Mediterranean, Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. All of these diets call for consuming more of:

  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Legumes
  • Nuts
  • Fish

Recent research has revealed that several foods, such as whole-fat dairy. They were previously believed to raise the risk of CVD and may instead have beneficial or neutral benefits. Many of these fresh discoveries have not yet, however, been included in dietary recommendations.

Furthermore, it is unknown whether earlier findings hold true for other regions of the world because the majority of dietary studies have been carried out in North America, Europe, and East Asia.

Researchers have looked at nutrition and health data from 80 nations on five continents.

In all geographic areas, they discovered a relationship between diets high in fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seafood, and whole-fat dairy with a reduced risk of CVD and mortality. The results were more compelling for lower-income nations.

‘PURE’ diet versus Mediterranean and DASH diets

First, the researchers looked at information from 166,762 people between the ages of 35 and 70 who lived in 21 low-, middle-, and high-income nations on five continents. The individuals were monitored for an average of 9.3 years.

Six food categories associated with decreased death rates were used by the researchers to establish a score for a healthy diet:

  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • legumes
  • nuts
  • fish
  • dairy

The diet score was given the name “PURE” diet score in honour of the research it was based on.

Overall, the researchers found that the average diet score was 2.95. Also, the nations with a higher per-capita gross national income had a higher prevalence of healthier diet ratings.

During the follow-up period, they also tallied a total of 8,201 significant CVD events and 10,076 fatalities.

In the end, people with diet scores of 5 or 6 had a considerably lower risk of developing cardiovascular problems than participants with diet scores of 0 or 1.

They had a total of:

  • a 30% decrease in the mortality rate
  • Reduced risk of stroke by 19%
  • 18% decreased CVD risk
  • Heart attack risk is reduced by 14%.

The PURE diet score was applied to data from five more studies, encompassing 96,955 participants in 70 different countries, and the researchers discovered comparable outcomes.

They also noted that compared to other popular diet scores, such as the HEI, Mediterranean, and DASH diet scores, the PURE diet score exhibited a marginally greater correlation with CVD or death.

However, compared to the Planetary diet score, the PURE diet score was noticeably more predictive of death and major CVD events.

In order to strike a balance between a nutritious diet and a sustainable food system, the Planetary diet was created. The emphasis on plant-based foods and weekly limits of 98 grammes of red meat, 203 grammes of chicken, and 196 grammes of fish make it the most restricted diet of those under study.

How to eat for a healthy heart?

The study’s authors suggest eating every day as follows based on the PURE diet score:

  • 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day
  • 1/2 cup of legumes
  • an amount of nuts
  • 0.3 fish servings
  • 2 dairy servings
  • one-half dish of red meat
  • 0.3 portions of chicken

Additionally, they advised 2-3 weekly servings of fish and 3-4 weekly servings of beans.

How diet is good for your heart?

Dr. Debbie Fetter, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis who teaches nutrition but was not involved in the study, discussed the potential cardiovascular health benefits of diets high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seafood, and whole grains with us.

Foods derived from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are nutrient-dense and contain phytochemicals, which are protective agents. According to Dr. Fetter, phytochemicals can minimize inflammation and oxidation, which helps protect against chronic diseases like CVD.

Dr. Mary Greene, a board-certified cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology in New York City, who was also not engaged in the study, was another person we spoke with. She pointed out that reducing processed foods may also contribute to some of the diet’s advantages.

We are aware that consuming fewer processed foods foods tainted by human manufacturing, foods containing additives, chemicals, and preservatives to keep them shelf-stable can reduce inflammation in the body, which has a negative impact on the cardiovascular system in particular. Avoiding these foods will help to maintain cardiovascular health, according to Dr. Greene.

“The food groups identified by this study, when consumed in their most natural state, can help to preserve cardiovascular health,” she continued.

Separating apart whole foods from processed foods

We enquired about the study’s limitations from senior clinical dietitian Dana Hunnes, Ph.D., of the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles who was not engaged in it. She pointed out that the study did not identify causal relationships; it just documented connections.

“The best we can do with this type of study is to say that these six foods are associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease, but it doesn’t really look at how powerful each of those six foods is in potentially ‘causing’ cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Hunnes said.

This, she said, is crucial because it’s possible that the majority of health advantages came from eating more fruits, veggies, nuts, and legumes, and that those who ate these items also ate fish and dairy, which may have minor benefits.

The results, Dr. Greene continued, are open to interpretation. Although a pint of rich ice cream is technically a full-fat dairy product, she pointed out that it is also a highly processed and fattening item, so it is best to stay away from it.

The low-fat, sugar-free flavoured creamer, which is a highly processed item that contains chemicals linked to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, would be a better substitute for a splash of heavy cream in your daily coffee. Making the distinction when discussing these various dietary groups is crucial, she continued.

No need to switch to a vegan diet

The study, according to Dr. Fetter, supports the idea that choosing nutrient-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seafood, and dairy can lower CVD risk.

She continued, observing that the relatively restrictive Planetary Diet Score was less predictive of cardiovascular health and mortality than the PURE diet score.

“This finding supports varying your dietary pattern and suggests that if you do consume animal-source foods, you can do so in moderation rather than completely restrict or avoid them,” she said.

“You don’t necessarily need to go completely plant-based to lower your risk of heart disease, but rather moderate amounts of fish and dairy were found to be linked to a reduced risk of CVD in this analysis,” she said in her analysis.

REFERENCES:

For Heart disease treatments that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=11

Can you prevent heart attack with monthly Vitamin D dose?

Can you prevent heart attack with monthly Vitamin D dose?

Comments 0 Comment

A crucial fat-soluble vitamin for supporting the immune system and bone health is vitamin D. Australian researchers monitored a group of elderly individuals. This is to determine whether vitamin D supplements could lower the incidence of serious heart disease events.

For five years, the test group received a monthly vitamin D supplement from the researchers.

The participants who took vitamin D supplements did have a slight risk decrease for several major cardiovascular events, even though it was not as significant as the researchers had hoped.

According to a study that was recently published in the BMJ, an Australian research team conducted a clinical trial. This was to see if vitamin D may help prevent major heart disease events like heart attacks and strokes.

The older persons were tracked by the researchers between the ages of 60 and 84. Heart disease is thought to be more likely to strike people in this age bracket.

When comparing the control and test groups, the researchers found that vitamin D had no effect on strokes. However, they did discover that the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower in the vitamin D supplement group.

What is Vitamin D?

In addition to supporting the immune system and other processes, vitamin D is crucial for strong bones. The human body responds to sun exposure by producing vitamin D. A person can increase their vitamin D intake by eating particular foods or taking supplements.

For strong bones and teeth, vitamin D is necessary. In addition, it performs a variety of other crucial functions in the body, including controlling immunological response and inflammation.

Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone or prohormone rather than a vitamin.

Detailed research on vitamin D

The leading cause of death in the United States is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although CVD can affect adults of any age, those 65 and beyond have the highest illness rates.

CVD can be dangerous and may be and the potential strain it may have on the healthcare system. Researchers have been exploring strategies to both treat and prevent the illness.

The authors of the study noted that earlier studies had limitations and did not demonstrate a link between vitamin D and lowering the risk of CVD. Because of the author’s observation, vitamin D has biological effects which suggest it could influence cardiovascular disease. Therefore, they conducted a more thorough investigation.

21,315 participants in the study ranged in age from 60 to 84. Participants who were already taking vitamin D supplements or had a history of diseases like sarcoidosis and hypercalcemia were excluded from the study.

A 60,000 IU vitamin D-3 pill was given to the test group once a month for five years. The control group consumed a sugar pill.

In order to understand the individuals’ socioeconomic level, way of life, and eating habits, the researchers gathered baseline data. They collected surveys, tested blood samples, and kept an eye out for adverse events throughout the trial. This is to ensure sure the participants were taking their supplements as prescribed.

The individuals also allowed researchers access to their medical records. So that they could gather data on mortality, prescribed drugs, and cardiovascular events.

Does vitamin D aid the heart?

A few previous observational studies have hinted at a potential link between reduced incidence of CVD and higher blood levels of vitamin D.

This new study suggests that vitamin D supplementation may have some advantages, even if clinical studies have not yet conclusively shown that it improves heart health.

When compared to the placebo group, the number of heart attack events among people taking vitamin D was 19% lower. Additionally, the vitamin D group had decreased rates of coronary revascularization, which might involve treatments like a heart bypass or a coronary artery bypass graft.

Although the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower overall in the groups receiving vitamin D, the study’s results did not indicate a lower rate among minor cardiovascular events.

The scientists cautioned about the 9% decline, saying it’s likely that users of statins or other cardiovascular medications may have contributed to it.

“For total major cardiovascular events, there was some indication of a stronger effect in those who were using statins or other cardiovascular drugs at baseline,” the authors wrote.

Because of this, the authors state that additional research is necessary before they can state with certainty that vitamin D alone prevents CVD.

The authors conclude that their research “indicates that supplementation with vitamin D may reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events, particularly myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization.”

“Those who were taking statins or other cardiovascular medications at the outset may have noticed this beneficial impact more clearly. The authors write, “Subgroup studies in other major trials might assist to explain this issue.

Does vitamin D suffice to lower the risk of CVD?

We had a discussion about the study with Dr. Yu-Ming Ni, a cardiologist from MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Centre in Fountain Valley, California. Dr. Ni did not believe that the study’s findings were yet significant enough to demonstrate that vitamin D supplementation can lower rates of CVD.

“After reading this study, it is tempting to draw the conclusion that there may be a trend towards a benefit for vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, especially as it relates to the prevention of heart attacks myocardial infarction,” he stated.

According to Dr. Ni, the new study “did not demonstrate a significant benefit of Vitamin D supplementation, even if there was a small benefit” when compared to previous studies on vitamin D and CVD.

Dr. Ni stated that vitamin D is still an essential supplement for bone health even though she did not believe the study offered hope for using it to lower the incidence of CVD.

When we discussed the report with Dr. Dmitriy Nevelev, associate director of cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, he had a somewhat different perspective on it.

Dr. Nevelev added that although earlier sizable studies on vitamin D and CVD had not revealed a “significant effect,” “many of these studies had limitations such as suboptimal adherence with daily therapy, an insufficient dose of vitamin D, or an overall lower risk population.”

REFERENCES:

For Heart disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_99

A new method may help forecast chronic renal illness risk.

A new method may help forecast chronic renal illness risk.

Comments 0 Comment

Heart disease is more likely to strike those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Researchers created a model to predict cardiovascular risk in CKD patients using proteomics, the study of proteins.

The model was proven to be more reliable than the standard techniques for determining risk. Additionally, scientists found several proteins that might be used in future treatments.

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) more frequently than any other cause.

Stage 1 of CKD, when there is visible evidence of kidney loss but viable kidney tissue is still present, progresses to stage 5, often known as end-stage renal disease, where dialysis or a kidney transplant is required.

A 2021 study found that stage 4 and stage 5 CKD patients suffer CVD in about half of cases.

The techniques available to medical professionals to assess patients with CKD’s cardiac risk are limited. The Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE), designed by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in 2013, was created to evaluate cardiovascular risk.

The original version did not, however, account for measurements for chronic kidney disease. Researchers have issued a warning that risk prediction techniques made for the general population may not be as reliable for CKD patients.

A new risk model for cardiovascular disease in CKD patients has been established as a result of an initiative coordinated by scientists at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. According to the researchers, it is more accurate than the methods currently used to assess these people’s cardiac risk.

Protein biomarkers were discovered by researchers.

The extensive study of proteins known as proteomics was used by the researchers to create a model to predict cardiovascular risk. A particular protein may function as a biomarker, a marker for a particular illness in the body.

The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC), a prospective study of adults with CKD conducted at seven U.S. clinical centers, and a cohort from Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC), a prospective epidemiologic study carried out in four U.S. communities, provided the researchers with nearly 5,000 proteins from 2,667 participants with CKD.

According to Bansal, who was not engaged in the study but cited the model’s and study’s usage of numerous people from various areas throughout the county as one of their advantages

32 proteins were chosen by the researchers to be part of their proteomic risk model using machine learning techniques. These proteins were shown to be the ones that most accurately predicted the risk of cardiovascular disease in CKD patients.

They employed a broad-based approach to identify proteins that may reveal novel biological pathways that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with renal illness, focusing on biology and disease mechanisms, according to Bansal.

Research of chronic kidney disease

Cryopreserved plasma samples from the participants chosen for this study from the CRIC were available for proteomic evaluation. The chosen participants had CKD and ranged in age from 21 to 74.

Dialysis patients and participants with end-stage renal disease were excluded. People who at the start of the study self-reported having had coronary heart disease, a myocardial infarction, a stroke, or heart failure were excluded. They were also excluded if they had a documented history of those events.

There were 2,182 participants in the last batch.

Participants in the CRIC were slightly younger, more likely to be men and Black than those in the ARIC. In addition, CRIC participants were less likely to be active smokers and more likely to have a history of diabetes and hypertension.

In comparison to CRIC participants, participants in ARIC had higher total cholesterol levels. There were 459 cardiovascular events throughout a 10-year follow-up period in the CRIC cohort and 173 cardiovascular events in the ARIC cohort.

The risk indicator’s precision

Researchers created a proteomic risk model for incident cardiovascular risk in the participants and used 390 ARIC cohort members, all of whom had CKD, to verify the model.

Researchers also determined the participants’ 2013 PCE. Additionally, they noted the history of hypertension in the participants, as well as their diastolic blood pressure, proteinuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eFGR), a score that represents kidney function.

“They were trying to look at how these biological pathways compare with clinical prediction models, in terms of predicting cardiovascular events,” Bansal said.

The proteomic cardiovascular risk model, according to the researchers, was more accurate in predicting a CKD patient’s risk for having a cardiac event than the PCE and a modified PCE that took into account eFGR scores.

Bansal said, “I believe the study does progress the field.” Over ten years, participants with the highest measure of predicted risk experienced a 60% observed incident cardiovascular event rate.

Nancy Mitchell, RN, a registered nurse with more than 37 years of experience treating patients with chronic renal illness and chronic cardiovascular problems, is optimistic that the study could result in “improving the treatment options for heart disease.”

Researchers may look at how the proteins found in bloodwork relate to cardiac disease and how they may use these discoveries to develop more specialised drugs for the condition, she said.

REFERENCES:

For Renal disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=82