Unhealthy Diet - Recognizing And Reducing Risk Factors: Heart Disease

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Unhealthy diet

When it comes to heart disease risk, you are what you eat. As noted above, a poor diet contributes to elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. A number of major studies provide compelling evidence that diet also affects the likelihood of progressing to full-blown coronary artery disease and having a heart attack. The Lyon Diet Heart Study, for instance, reported that people who regularly adhere to a Mediterranean-style diet are 50%–70% less likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other type of cardiovascular problem — or to die from heart disease. This type of diet includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and nuts; using olive oil and other types of unsaturated fats for cooking; eating more fish and poultry and less red meat; and drinking wine in moderation. Large studies have also indicated that consuming more omega-3 fats, found in certain fish, nuts, and other foods as well as in supplements, may be particularly heart-healthy (see "Healthy fats").

Just about everyone can benefit from a heart-healthy diet. Be aware, however, that while some foods, such as soy products and cereals, come with labels identifying them as "heart-healthy," no one food will prevent or reverse heart disease. Instead, decades of research have provided the basis for some general guidelines that, if followed, can go a long way toward preventing heart disease (see "Eat healthy foods").

Last updated:	May 03, 2007