w8lifter

Courtesy of Dr. Pain

FYI....if you're wondering, Dr. Pain is originally from another board, and he has given me permission to move all of his archived information here....nearly 10,000 posts worth!!

Dietary Protein and Cardiovascular Disease

Multiple recent studies have demonstrated the benefit of dietary fats (especially N-3 polyunsaturates and monounsaturates) in cardiovascular disease and in the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors. A more recent study trend has examined the possible beneficial role of dietary protein.

Wolfe has published numerous articles demonstrating the positive effects of the isocaloric substitution of protein for carbohydrate on lipid profiles. His studies have demonstrated a decreased LDL-C, an increased HDL-C, and reduction of triglycerides, thus reversing the dietary effects of increased carbohydrates. Wolfe states that substitution of carbohydrate for fat in the diet results in a reduction in HDL apoprotein transport rates along with increased catabolism of apolipoprotein A-1.

The decreases in plasma VLDL and LDL resulting from substitution of protein for carbohydrate in the diet may relate to either increased catabolism or decreased production. Thus, according to Wolfe's work, the simple dietary substitution of protein for carbohydrate could have profound health benefits.

Wolfe's data has recently been validated by Hu. In this study the dietary habits of over 80,000 women were examined. After controlling for variables, high protein intakes were associated with lowered risk of ischemic heart disease. Both animal and vegetable protein sources were protective. This inverse association was noted in women on both low fat or high fat diets. Wolfe's and Hu's work both indicate that dietary protein has cardioprotective properties independent of those of dietary fat.

Given the multiple health benefits ascribed to N-3 polyunsaturates and the evolving data regarding dietary protein - fish may be one of the best foods for human consumption. In a fascinating piece of epidemiological work, Marcovina compared 2 racially homogenous Bantu populations from Tanzania. The only appreciable difference between the groups was their dietary habits. The Bantu living closer to the shore had a predominantly fish based diet, while the inland Bantu consumed an essentially vegan diet (a diet devoid of animal products ). When plasma lipoprotein (a) (an independent cardiovascular risk factor) levels were compared, those among the fish eating population were 40% lower. This suggests another cardioprotective aspect of fish consumption.

In a recent study by Mori, he demonstrated the inclusion of fish in a weight loss program yielded greater results than either fish consumption or weight loss alone in their obese subjects. The experimental group in their study demonstrated improved glucose, insulin and lipid metabolism, as well as greater reductions in blood pressure, heart rate and weight loss versus controls. This study suggests a novel approach to the dietary management of obesity and NIDDM.

Perhaps the most influential of the studies looking at the benefits of fish, was the Diet and Reinfarction Trial (also known as the DART trial). In this study, the authors demonstrated that the addition of a modest amount of fish (2-3g of EPA per week or the equivalent of 300g of fatty fish per week) reduced post myocardial infarction mortality by about 29% when compared to controls.

One of the more interesting aspects of the study was that the control group was instructed on the standard fat reduction diet and on average had lower cholesterol levels than did the experimental group. The authors theorized that the fish oils had a favorable effect on clotting mechanisms and blood platelets, as well as a potential anti-arrhythmic effect on the ischemic heart. The results of this study are profound, especially given the modest and otherwise innocuous interventions undertaken.

Given the evidence of the benefit of N-3 polyunsaturates, coupled with the potential benefits of dietary protein, fish clearly is a biologically superior food source. The isocaloric substitution of fish for dietary carbohydrates is not only evolutionary appropriate, by may have untoward health benefits from weight control to improved glucose homeostasis to cardiovascular disease prevention


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DP

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lina

Just curious, why the move from this board?



Good article w8 and #22 DP!