Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Extension
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1571
Healthy Heart Beats
January-March 2008
Vol 30, Issue 1
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Healthy Heart Program Updates
In this Issue
The start of a new year is a time to reflect on the months ahead and what we can do to take charge of our health. In this issue we have provided some of the latest research on whole grains and the never ending benefits we can realize by switching to whole grain choices, making sure half of the breads, cereals and grains we eat are whole grain.
The first article refers to C-reactive protein (CRP) which is a marker of inflammation within the walls of the arteries where it may precipitate plaque instability leading to a heart attack. Though you may not have thought of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as an inflammatory disease, people with increased serum CRP are at increased risk of CVD. This increased risk appears to be independent of their serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Whole grains appear to reduce CRP which provides another benefit to resolve to add whole grains to your diet in 2008. As I write this, I have just been reading in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA) from the Evidence Analysis Library and summary articles from a very large and most comprehensive report on diet and heart disease. Evidence continues to mount on the relationship between diet, nutrients and blood lipid levels, blood pressure and coronary heart disease.
The FDA has just acted on the misleading information on nutrition labels for the health claims for omega-3 fatty acids requiring that such claims be stopped until reviewed and a standard is written. There is only a dietary recommendation for ALA, but not for DHA or EPA. We have reviewed in this issue the often confusing world of omega-3 fatty acids! Confusion stems from the fact that while ALA can be converted to EPA, the conversion occurs in very small amounts. Only 2 - 5% of ALA can be converted to EPA, according to the report in JADA, and less than 1% converted to DHA.
Additionally, we've included more information on nuts. Walnuts are a good source of ALA. Enjoy making whole grain muffins with nuts and bananas or apple sauce for added flavor and nutrients. Check out A Complete Guide to High Altitude Baking from the Extension Resource Center for great recipes -- http://cerc.colostate.edu/titles/CE42.html.
You also can read more about omega-3 fatty acids and CRP in the January-February 2005 issue of Healthy Heart Beats, http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/healthyheart/0501-02c.html.
We trust that 2008 will be a year of good health for you. To that end, be active, eat well and take steps to handle the stress in our lives.
Best wishes!
Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D.
Food and Nutrition Extension Specialist
Shirley Perryman, M.S., R.D.
Extension Specialist
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