Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

New findings in the New England Journal of Medicine reveal young and middle-aged African-Americans living in the United States are 20 times more likely to suffer heart failure. Data reported average age of heart failure onset among blacks was 39, with hypertension, obesity, and kidney problems also seen earlier in blacks. The research also associates young people not getting their blood pressure checked, lack of health insurance and not taking medications as other risk factors; Reuters investigates.

Not matter what color you are. Diet is a major contributing factor to heart failure. In December, a study showed eating eggs and diary can raise heart failure risk up to 23% and people with 7 pounds of abdominal fat, i.e. chub, are 11% more likely to have a heart failure, but a diet rich in fruits and vegetables naturally lowers LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In related news, black and Hispanic children were found to have less type-1 diabetes than white kids, with Caucasian children posting the highest rate, but a recent report revealed African-Americans living in poorer communities have limited access to healthy foods.

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A new study in Health Affairs claims more Americans have multiple chronic illnesses than ever before. The percentage of people with 3 or more chronic illnesses rose from 13% in 1996 to 22% in 2005 for ages 45 to 64. It increased 45% for ages 65 to 79, jumped 54% for individuals older than 80 and among all ages, figures went up 6% from 1996. And data reveals the number of Americans with 1 chronic condition, like cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart failure, was 41% in 1996 but rose to 44% in 2005. Obesity and inactivity are being blamed; Reuters reports.

And these maladies are hitting us in the wallet too. On average, obesity and it’s sequelae cost the United States more than $100 billion a year and physicians and hospitals usually fail to make a long term impact on the health of their patients, which is evident when you consider a recent report revealing 24 million Americans have type-2 diabetes, a risk factor for many chronic diseases, up 3 million since 2005.

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Recent studies have shown egg consumption is linked to diabetes risk and risk of death. And now, new research in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reveals each serving of dairy or eggs increases heart failure risk by 8% to 23%. Conversely, each serving of whole grains dropped heart risk by 7% in middle-aged men and women. Both results account for other factors that might impact heart failure risk, such as calorie intake, lifestyle, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension; Reuters reports.

Now, don’t go grain crazy! Grains are okay, but Dr. Fuhrman recommends eating more fruits and vegetables instead. Grains aren’t as nutrient-dense. And fruits and veggies are the ultimate heart-protectors, capable of preventing and reversing cardiovascular disease.

The Chinese, whose classic diet involved a lot of fruits and vegetables, have departed from their traditional ways and subsequently suffer from more heart disease and obesity as they consume more eggs, meat and fat, and less plant foods.
 

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A new study in Circulation has determined even a tiny bit of belly fat increases heart risk. Researchers examined 21,094 male doctors. And their findings revealed that in men, 5 feet 10 inches tall, for every 7 pounds of extra body weight, the risk of heart failure increased by 11%. Conversely, the leanest, and most active group, had the lowest risk; Reuters investigates.

Very ironic that they used doctors for the experiment, because a recent report revealed 79% of doctors don’t get the recommended amount of exercise. Might help explain the results!

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