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Diet, fats and cholesterol
Part 5: Heart disease and high blood insulin
High blood glucose levels and consequent high blood insulin levels produce two
effects that are responsible for cardiovascular diseases.
They are: increased thickening and stickiness of the blood which tends to clot
and block the blood vessels, and the increased permeability of the capillary
walls leading to the smaller blood vessels and capillaries leaking and
rupturing.
Many studies have demonstrated that a breakdown of the
endothelium
, the inner lining of arteries and veins, occurs early in the insulin-resistant
state and can predict future cardiovascular events. Similarly, insulin
resistance has been associated with the metabolic syndrome, which also
increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
But high insulin levels also:
Increase risk of thrombosis
Increase plaque formation
Prevent plaque regression
Stimulate connective tissue synthesis
Stimulate insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
All of which increase the risk of a heart attack .
Don't forget that long-term high insulin levels are caused only by eating a
'healthy', carbohydrate-rich diet.
References
1. Pyorala M, et al. Hyperinsulinemia and the risk of stroke in healthy
middle-aged men: the 22 year follow-up results of the Helsinki Policemen Study.
Stroke
1998; 29: 1860-1866.
2. Kamide K, et al. Insulin resistance is related to silent cerebral infarction
in patients with essential hypertension.
Am J Hypertens
1997; 10: 1245-1249.
3. Biessels GJ. Cerebral complications of diabetes: clinical findings and
pathogenic mechanisms.
Neth J Med
1999; 54: 35-45
4. Meigs JB, Mieeleman MA, Nathan DM, et al. Hyperinsulinemia, hyperglyceima,
and impaired hemostasis. The Framingham offspring study.
JAMA
2000; 283:221-229
5. DeFronzo RA, Eleuterio F. Insulin resistance: a multifaceted syndrome
responsible for NIDDM, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes Care
1991; 14: 173-91
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