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Jewish World Review April 5, 2002 / 24 Nisan, 5762
By Robert A. Wascher, M.D., F.A.C.S.
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
Most people know that a high-fat diet, over time, increases the risk of
developing coronary heart disease. However, an interesting study in the
Annals of Internal Medicine has found evidence that even a single fatty meal
can adversely affect coronary artery function. In this study, 15 young men
(average age was 29) without any evidence of heart disease were alternately
fed high-fat and low-fat meals. Using a special ultrasound machine that
measures the coronary arteries' ability to dilate in order to increase blood
flow, the researchers evaluated coronary artery reserve before and after the
meals. They also measured blood levels of triglycerides (a fat) before and
after each meal. Within 5 hours of the fatty meal, the average triglyceride
level in the blood almost tripled, while coronary artery flow reserve
decreased by almost 20%. Following a low-fat meal, no significant changes
were noted in blood triglyceride levels or coronary artery flow reserve.
Although the study only evaluated a very small number of volunteers, it
provides intriguing insight into the possible adverse effects on coronary
artery function following even a single high-fat meal. While such rapid
changes in coronary artery flow reserve may not be significant in young
people without heart disease, such changes might be important in older
patients with compromised heart function due to coronary artery disease. At
a minimum, it is something to consider the next time you are tucking into a
double cheeseburger and french fries....
EXERCISE & BLOOD PRESSURE
CAN COFFEE REDUCE YOUR RISK OF TOOTH DECAY?
JWR contributor Dr. Robert A. Wascher is a senior research fellow in molecular & surgical oncology at
the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, CA.
Comment by clicking here.
A single high-fat meal reduces coronary artery function
With recent research showing that the majority of us will eventually develop
high blood pressure severe enough to require treatment, strategies that
reduce the risk of developing this condition are more important than ever.
Maintaining your body at a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and
remaining physically fit are all crucial to such a strategy.
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine retrospectively analyzed 54
different research trials that measured the effects of exercise on the risk
of developing high blood pressure. Using a technique called meta-analysis,
the authors evaluated the previous studies to find statistically significant
factors that were confirmed in most or all of these studies. This
meta-analysis study found that regular and habitual aerobic exercise was
associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure among people with
normal blood pressure and in those with high blood pressure. This
beneficial effect was also seen in people who were of normal weight and in
those who were obese. This study adds to the growing scientific evidence
that 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise, when performed 4 to 5 times
per week, can substantially reduce your risk of dying from the two most
common causes of death in the developed world: heart attack and stroke. Of
course, please remember to first consult your physician if you are planning
to begin a new exercise program.
The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry features an interesting study
looking at the effects of coffee on Streptoccocus mutans, the bacteria
thought to be primarily responsible for tooth decay. The researchers found
that coffee inhibited the decay-causing bacteria from sticking to
artificially created tooth surfaces in the laboratory. Of course, this
experiment in a test tube cannot perfectly simulate the conditions on the
surfaces of our teeth. Additional research will therefore be needed to see
if this finding holds up under the more complex conditions present within
our
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