The name is absent



Nutrition and Coronary Heart Disease

There exists biochemical and experimental evidence that supports the hypothesis that
oxidative modification of LDL causes atherosclerosis (Steinberg, 1992). This is now
supported by epidemiological evidence (Gey et al, 1991; Riemersma et al, 1991 and
Stampferetal, 1993).

Oxidisation is caused by the presence of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are
produced through the normal metabolic process. The free radicals can produce lipid
radicals, which in turn produce peroxyl radicals. This process is highly unstable and
will continue to consume valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids (Parthasarathy and
Rankin, 1992). This process ceases when two peroxyl radicals combine to form an
inactive by-product. LDL is particularly susceptible to an oxidative modification.
The presence of perioxid modified components of LDL can cause the development of
atherosclerosis (Silagy and Mant, 1996 & Steinberg, 1992). Antioxidants can inhibit
the modification of LDL by bonding with the free radicals and perioxyl radicals forming
stable compounds.

A number of early studies failed to find an association between antioxidant vitamins and
the rates of CHD (Salonen et al, 1985; Salonen et al, 1988; Gey et al, 1987 and Kok et
al, 1987). Following the publication of the biomedical evidence mentioned above, a
number of more recent studies have found evidence of an association between
antioxidants and CHD.

Riemesma et al (1991) found an inverse relationship between plasma concentrations of
vitamin C and E and carotene and the risk CHD. Stampfer et al (1993) performed a
prospective study that also supported the hypothesis that vitamin E and beta-carotene
intakes were inversely correlated with CHD.

Gey et al (1991) supply strong evidence that antioxidants protect against CHD. In their
cross country study, they found that vitamin E levels were a very strong predictor of
CHD. Most recently Rimm et al (1996) have shown that there are lower rates of CHD
among people eating higher amounts of fruit and vegetables. This is also supported by
further studies that have focused on the consumption of foods high in carotenoids
(Street et al, 1994 and Kardinaal et al, 1993).

CHERE Project Report II- November 1999

62




More intriguing information

1. The name is absent
2. GENE EXPRESSION AND ITS DISCONTENTS Developmental disorders as dysfunctions of epigenetic cognition
3. Proceedings from the ECFIN Workshop "The budgetary implications of structural reforms" - Brussels, 2 December 2005
4. A Location Game On Disjoint Circles
5. Perfect Regular Equilibrium
6. Nietzsche, immortality, singularity and eternal recurrence1
7. Nonlinear Production, Abatement, Pollution and Materials Balance Reconsidered
8. Langfristige Wachstumsaussichten der ukrainischen Wirtschaft : Potenziale und Barrieren
9. The name is absent
10. The name is absent
11. The name is absent
12. Special and Differential Treatment in the WTO Agricultural Negotiations
13. Who is missing from higher education?
14. Spatial Aggregation and Weather Risk Management
15. The name is absent
16. Credit Markets and the Propagation of Monetary Policy Shocks
17. Midwest prospects and the new economy
18. The name is absent
19. Integration, Regional Specialization and Growth Differentials in EU Acceding Countries: Evidence from Hungary
20. The name is absent