Diet can help control coronary problems

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Diet can help control coronary problems

By DR. YONG H. TSAI

MANAGING PAIN

Last update: August 08, 2005

The concept that inflammation can be controlled with a good diet of

balanced fatty acids began when researchers found out that, despite the

Eskimos' diet -- which is high in fat -- the instances of heart disease

remained quite low in the far North.

Currently, we understand that coronary heart disease is due to

inflammation. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that patients

following a Mediterranean diet had a decrease in symptoms of lupus and

rheumatoid arthritis.

Fatty acids, required for the body's proper growth and function, are

not naturally produced by the human body, but by consuming plants or

animals.

Free radicals, on the other hand, are unstable molecules, which can

promote inflammation.

Free radicals can be found in dangerous chemicals and air pollutants

and also can be generated when your body burns food for energy and

breaks down harmful chemicals in the liver.

As you've heard before, we live in the " fast-food lane " : We consume an

enormous amount of processed foods, carbohydrates and fat along with

fewer vegetables and vitamins than we should.

This modern diet consists of much more pro-inflammatory fats than

anti-inflammatory fats with few antioxidants -- " premium fuel " for the

inflammation.

We also already know that not all fatty acids are the same. Two types

of fatty acids called Omega 6 and trans fat have the ability to promote

inflammation within our body.

Omega-6 fatty acids are most often found in oils such as corn, peanut,

cottonseed as well as in processed and packaged food and trans fats,

which are formed when vegetable oils harden into margarine or

shortening.

On the other hand, Omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseed, walnuts, spinach,

soybeans, algae, non-farm-raised Northern water tuna, sardines, salmon,

mackerel and herring) can decrease inflammation.

Therefore, the higher the presence of Omega 3's, the lower the

pro-inflammatory effect from Omega 6's.

Natural guards against free radicals are antioxidants, which include

vitamin E and C and many other nutrients, particularly flavanoids,

carotenoids found in vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Tea and soy contain a large amount of phytochemicals, which act as

anti-oxidants and can modify the inflammatory process.

All of this points to changing your eating habits to contain fewer

Omega 6's, trans fats and free radicals, while increasing your Omega 3

and antioxidant intake.

The ideal: Eat lots of fruit and vegetables (at least five servings a

day), fish (three to five times a week) and soy; cook with olive oil

and drink plenty of tea.

If you like Indian food, you also are advised to cook with curry or

turmeric as they have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory

properties.

Limit your beef, pork, butter and other animal product intake, and

don't overeat. Finally, don't forget to take your daily multi-vitamin,

particularly if you do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Yong H. Tsai is board-certified in rheumatology, allergy and

clinical immunology and has been practicing in this area for several

years. Send questions to Dr. Tsai in care of accent@.... You

also can check the Web site: www.arthritis-allergy.com.

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