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By Kate McHugh, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of humans worldwide. An estimated 79.4 million Americans suffer from some form of the disease. Thats one in every three Americans. Could you reduce your odds?
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At the 48th Annual Conference of the American College of Nutrition in Orlando, Fla., Lydia Bazzano, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, La., presented the newest dietary supplement recommendations to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
The B-complex vitamins, folate, vitamins C and E, calcium, magnesium and potassium have been associated with a lower risk of developing [cardiovascular disease], whereas sodium has been associated with an increased risk, Dr. Bazzano told Ivanhoe.
In clinical studies, Dr. Bazzano said folic acid and folate were associated with a decreased incidence of stroke. While results are not yet clear enough to recommend a specific dosage, there are strong correlations between the supplement and stroke incidence. However, a diet low in potassium could also increase ones risk for stroke, causing the recommended daily intake to be increased to 4.7 grams per day to lower blood pressure and reduce ones salt sensitivity.
Vitamins C and E have, in recent years, been associated with a decreased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. However, Dr. Bazzano reported recent clinical trials failed to show any reductions in the disease and, in some cases, demonstrated an increase in all-cause mortality with vitamin C and E supplementation. The newest recommendations for vitamins C and E are 75 milligrams per day for women and 90 milligrams per day for men.
Other findings include a relationship between calcium and blood pressure. To lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, Dr. Bazzano recommends taking about 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day, consistent with the recommendations of the DASH Diet. Adequate sodium intake for adults is between 1.2 grams and 1.5 grams per day with upper limits set at 2.3 grams.
SOURCE: The 48th Annual Conference of the American College of Nutrition, Sept. 27-30 in Orlando, Fla.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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