Diet, fats and cholesterol

Bacterial and viral attacks are known to cause inflammation of the arteries by attacking the endothelium (the innermost layer of the artery wall). Agents shown to be implicated include:(1, 2)

• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Helicobacter pylori
• Herpesviruses
• Cytomegalovirus.

But what has this to do with diet? you might wonder. The answer to that question is: Quite a lot, because the 'healthy' diet we are told to eat, reduces the effectiveness of our immune systems, leaving us less able to combat these infections.

5 Portions of fruit and veg
We are told that we should eat '5 portions' to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. But over the last few years several studies into the 5-a-day claim have been shown disappointing results.

The prestigious CARDIO2000 study published its results in 2003.[3] This study was looking at intakes of fruit and vegetables specifically in relation to acute heart disease. They found that vegetables did reduce the risk of heart disease. But, significantly, it didn't need '5 portions a day' for the maximum effect. In their conclusions the researchers say:

'Our findings support that even low consumption of fruits and vegetables (1-2 servings per week) is associated with about 45% lower coronary risk. Consumption of 2 or more servings per week is associated with about 70% reduction in relative risk.' [emphasis added]

The Daily Mail reported the study's results.[4] The Mail interviewed Professor Sir Charles George, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, about the obvious conflict with the 5-a-day guidelines. Sir Charles answered 'There is some argument about how much you need; I think five may be an arbitrary figure' — and, by so doing, admitted that there is no evidence that '5-a-day' dietary advice is based on anything more than wishful thinking.

So, we don't need to eat anything like 5-a-day to derive benefits in terms of heart disease — just 2-a-week. In fact, eating too much fruit and veges, as we will see in the next part of this item can be positively unhealthy.

References

1. Patel P, et al. Association of Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections with coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors. BMJ 1995; 311: 711-14

2. Namuzaki K, Chiba S. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary heart disease. BMJ 1997; 315: 1538-9

3. Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Kokkinos P, et al. Consumption of fruits and vegetables in relation to the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes; the CARDIO2000 case-control study. Nutr J 2003; 2: 2.

4. 'Three fruit and veg are still healthy.' Daily Mail , 2 September 2003, p 8.