The other group of mice was fed no vegetables whatsoever. According to
lead researcher Michael Adams, D.V.M., "While everyone knows that eating
more vegetables is supposed to be good for you, no one had shown before
that it can actually inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. This
suggests how a diet high in vegetables may help prevent heart attacks
and strokes."
After 16 weeks, the scientists measured and compared two forms of
cholesterol in an effort to estimate the extent of atherosclerosis.
They found that the mice fed the vegetables had less plaque build-up
compared to the no-vegetable group. The plaques in the vegetable group
were 38 percent “smaller”. The researchers also found modest
improvements in body weight and cholesterol levels in their blood.
The estimates extent of the atherosclerosis involved measuring free and
ester cholesterol, two forms that accumulate in plaques as they
develop. They found the rate of this accumulation was highly predictive
of the actual amount of plaque present in the vessels.
Scientists are not sure why the high-vegetable diet influenced the
development of plaque on the artery wall. Adams explains, “Although the
pathways involved remain uncertain, the results indicate that a diet
rich in green and yellow vegetables inhibits the development of
hardening of the arteries and may reduce the risk of heart disease."
The 37 percent reduction in a certain marker of inflammation in mice
suggested that vegetable consumption may inhibit inflammatory activity.
"It is well known that atherosclerosis progression is intimately linked
with inflammation in the arteries," according to Adams. "Our results,
combined with other studies, support the idea that increased vegetable
consumption inhibits atherosclerosis progression through antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory pathways."
This research was published in the current issue of the Journal of
Nutrition. There has been previous research that has shown that
vegetables can lower blood pressure and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
But this is apparently the first study to examine the diet’s effect on
the development or progression of atherosclerosis.
Doctors have maintained that diets high in fruits and vegetables are
beneficial to your health. In the 1970’s, researchers discovered that
blood pressure was lower in vegetarians who ate little or no fat and
cholesterol but ate lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains rich in
potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
As a result of that discovery scientists began working on the Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or
DASH diet. This diet may also cut the risk of developing diabetes,
cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Genjiro Kimura, who helped
author the original DASH study, believes the combination of fruits and
vegetables acts as a natural diuretic. Recently some of the original
researchers have stated that they believe they need to revise the
DASH diet to include more fat and protein.
Dan Wilson
Best Syndication
Books on Dieting
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