Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Vitamins - Dietary Health Benefits

Table of Contents

Carotenoids and Heart Protection. Studies have reported that a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing beta-carotene, lycopene, and other carotenoids may reduce the risk of heart attack. Diets low in lycopene (particularly from tomatoes) have been associated with a significantly higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow. Severely restricted blood flow in the arteries to the heart muscle leads to symptoms such as chest pain. Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until a complication occurs.

Phytochemicals and Heart Protection. Foods containing phytochemicals are associated with heart protection.

  • Flavonoids. Certain flavonoids, found in both black and green teas, dark chocolate, onions, red wine or red grape juice, and apples, appear to be heart protective. Flavonoids may protect against damage done by cholesterol and help prevent blood clots.
  • Organosulfurs. Organosulfurs found in onions and garlic have been under investigation for possible beneficial effects on cholesterol levels.
  • Isoflavones. Soy protein, found in foods like tofu and soy milk, is the most studied source of isoflavones (known as phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens), which some studies indicate might improve blood cholesterol.
  • Sterols. The plant sterols, including sitosterol, are also proving to be potent cholesterol fighters by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

Protection against Stroke

A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in salt and saturated fat may significantly lower the risk for a first stroke, perhaps by helping to protect against high blood pressure -- a major risk factor for stroke.

Vitamins and Stroke Protection. The effects of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids (vitamins C or E, or beta-carotene) on stroke have been studied extensively. Most studies have found that these vitamins do not help protect against stroke.

Review Date: 10/08/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)