le grains lower risk of heart disease

[Guest guest]

le grains lower risk of heart disease

1999-09-21

 

 

ARTICLE:

By Charnicia Huggins NEW YORK, Sep 21 (Reuters Health) -- Women who

consume two to three servings of whole grains per day by eating

foods such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or popcorn, reduce their

risk of heart disease by almost 30%, report researchers at Brigham

and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston,

Massachusetts. These results suggest " how much we can reduce heart

disease risk with higher intakes of whole grain products, " stated co-

author Dr. Meir J. Stampfer, professor of epidemiology and nutrition

at Harvard School of Public Health, in an interview with Reuters

Health. The study included 75,521 women -- ages 38 to 63 -- with no

history of diabetes or heart disease who were included in a 1984

Nurses' Health Study survey and followed for 10 years, completing

additional questionnaires in 1986 and 1990. The women were asked how

often they consumed whole grains -- dark bread, brown rice, popcorn -

- and refined grains, such as sweet rolls, white bread, and pizza.

During the 10-year follow-up period, the researchers documented 761

cases of coronary heart disease in these women, including 208 who

died of heart disease. Yet the collective results of the study,

published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition, show whole grain consumption is inversely related to

heart disease risk -- that is, the higher the whole grain intake,

the less the risk of heart disease. " Compared to people who eat

almost no whole grains, those that are eating what I would consider

to be a reasonable level -- just 2 to 3 servings per day -- had

about half the risk of heart disease, " said Stampfer. The authors

note that women who eat large amounts of whole grain foods are less

likely to smoke and more likely to exercise -- both positive

influences on cardiovascular health. High intake of whole grain

foods was also associated with other types of healthy eating

including more carbohydrates, fiber, and proteins, and less fat,

alcohol and cholesterol. " By simply choosing to make a sandwich with

two slices of whole wheat bread, instead of white, a woman will get

the beneficial two servings of whole grains she needs to protect her

heart, " Stampfer pointed out. " I would just strongly encourage

everyone to try as much as possible to go for the whole grain

version of whatever it is they like to eat and that will be a good

first step to a better diet, " said Stampfer.

 

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DR. SEARS' COMMENTS:

 

This is why Americans are so confused about nutrition because the

epidemiological data is often conflicting. The same investigators

examining the same data have also demonstrated that eating more

protein and less carbohydrate also reduces heart disease.

Incompatible results? Not necessarily. The Zone Diet doesn't forbid

eating whole grain carbohydrates, only that they should be used in

moderation compared to vegetables and fruits. In fact the

recommendations of the 2-3 servings of whole grains is in line with

the Zone Diet. However, most people tend to confuse whole grain with

the refined grains found in pasta, bread, and white rice.

Unfortunately, when the FDA calls breakfast cereals (such as

Wheaties and Cherrios) as whole grains. then the wrong message is

immediately sent to everyone.

[Guest guest]

Low Grain and Carbohydrate Diets Treat Hypoglycemia, Heart Disease, Diabetes

Cancer and Nearly ALL Chronic Illness

by Joseph Brasco, MD

 

Unfortunately, the debate over the validity of this concept has primarily been

waged in the media and lay publications and not in the scientific journals. Many

of the popular books which support this position are gimmicky, and often, lack

adequate scientific referencing. Yet, at their core is very important concept --

limiting the intake of carbohydrates, (especially as cereal grains and

starches), will improve human health.

http://www.mercola.com/article/carbohydrates/scientific_evidence_low_grains.htm

 

 

 

 

 

> le grains lower risk of heart disease

> 1999-09-21

 

>

> ARTICLE:

> By Charnicia Huggins NEW YORK, Sep 21 (Reuters Health) -- Women who

> consume two to three servings of whole grains per day by eating

> foods such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, or popcorn, reduce their

> risk of heart disease by almost 30%, report researchers at Brigham

> and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston,

> Massachusetts. These results suggest " how much we can reduce heart

> disease risk with higher intakes of whole grain products, " stated co-