Re: AHA dietary recommendations

For some time now, I've been trying to reduce carbs. This has meant a
decrease in (lately a total elimination of) grains, starchy vegetables,
tropical and some other carby fruit. When I've followed the diet well, my
risk factors for CV disease have dropped. My intake of veggies increased.

For many years before doing this, I followed the AHA diet recommendations as
well as possible. I'd had mitral valve repair surgery in 1988 and didn't
want any heart trouble. All those years my risk factors worsened. I wrote it
off to bad genes and increased age.

I no longer think that way. My risk factors are near optimal all around and
I have done virtually the opposite of the AHA diet. Having read much of the
science literature on the subject now, I can offer two observations. The
first is that, though imperfect, we do have some knowledge of the risk
factors for CV disease. The second is that the studies that have attempted
to relate diet to those risk factors or, much more importantly, to outcomes
is of poor quality and seems to be interpreted in accordance with
preconceptions that have persisted for decades.

I'll add a third observation: One of the emerging risk factors for CV
disease is even modest elevations of blood sugar. I think anyone who is
serious about reducing cardiovascular risk should get a home blood glucose
meter and do some testing on himself. If glucose is enven slighly raised, it
could be wise to try reducing carbs as the single most important strategy
for reducing CV risk. If you test, you'll see if it works.

I follow a diet high in fat and protein. I get lots of fiber, veggies,
berries, some nuts, fish, naturally raised meats. red wine, olive oil, a
wide range of herbs and spices, coffee, and a bit of dark chocolate. I get
too much saturated fat according to the AHA and the ADA, too much total fat,
not enough grains or flour products or sugar. But unless the sum total of
the CV risk factors fail to capture most of the risk, my risk is way down
and I am lean, strong, and happy.

I'm not going back to low-fat yogurt on cereal for breakfast.
--
Jim Chinnis Warrenton, Virginia, USA
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