Wow! Is this what heart healthcare is coming to? I just finished reading a report published in the American Journal of Cardiology suggesting that a statin be offered with fast food orders as a means of countering the unhealthy effects such dubious diet choices can have on the heart.
The study comes from the prestigious Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London, England. This is not some fly-by-night institution so any proclamation they make has to be taken serious - but just how seriously?
I am certain we all have a basic understanding of the nasty effects that the average fast food meal can have on the heart. Common ingredients such as trans-fats, sugars, and wheat can all wreak havoc on your heart and metabolism not to mention the more exotic dangers posed by the likes of frying, heated oils and advanced glycation end-products. But, is there really a way to "neutralize" these dangers as the study suggests? In a word, "No!"
What this study represents is the insidious use of "hype" over "health" and, if it came from a lesser institution, I would even consider it to be another blatant attempt to push statins for profit on an unsuspecting public. Let's pause, take a breath, drop the hyperbole, and consider a few facts about diet, statins, and most importantly, what the study REALLY said.
Let's start with diet and what you are putting in your body when you eat a typical fast food Meal. We will pick on McDonald's for a moment (what the heck, they are making the big money so they can take the heat) and consider the nutritional content of a Big Mac, medium fries, and a chocolate shake. Here are the numbers in order.
Calories: 540 + 380 +580 = 1500
Total Fat (g): 29 + 19 + 14 = 62
Sat Fat (g): 10 + 2.5 + 8 = 20.5
Trans Fat (g): 1.5 + 0 + 1 = 2.5
Cholesterol (mg): 75 + 0 + 50 = 125
Sodium (mg): 1040 + 270 + 250 = 1560
Carbohydrates (g): 45 + 48 + 102 = 195
Sugars (g): 9 + 0 + 84 = 93
Source: McDonald's Nutrition Facts (www.mcdonalds.com)
Wow, again! For those of you on a typical 2000 calorie diet you just got three-quarters of your calories from one meal. These are not ordinary calories, either. While the latest data cast some doubt on the "bad boy" reputation of dietary cholesterol and saturated fats, trans-fats are known killers. The sodium content, well-known as an agent that raises blood pressure, represents about two-thirds of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Finally, the carbohydrates account for 150% of the RDA. That right, you just ate 50% more carbs than you should and you haven't even had supper today. Note that these are not just any carbs, they are high glycemic index sugars, wheat, and starches - the stuff that converts quickly to glucose and raises your blood sugar, not to mention their ability to promote highly atherogenic Small LDL. This meal is a cardiac disaster!
