Fruits, veggies may lower risk of artery disease
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Health
Pain in the lower extremities
may be indicative of a condition
called peripheral artery
disease. The National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute says it occurs
when plaque builds up in the arteries
that carry blood to the limbs,
head, and organs, contributing to
atherosclerosis, or a hardening of
the arteries. Blocked blood flow
and eventual limited oxygen supply
to these areas can cause pain and
numbness. When severe enough,
peripheral artery disease may lead
to tissue death.
Discomfort due to the disease
usually occurs when a person is
walking or exercising, because the
muscles are not getting enough
blood during these activities to
meet their needs, says the American
Heart Association. Those with
diabetes may confuse pain with
neuropathy, and the elderly may
think pain from peripheral artery
disease is a normal sign of aging
and stiffness.
When undiagnosed, it can lead
to further complications, including
increased risk for heart attack,
stroke, and coronary artery disease.
Even amputation of a limb
may be necessary. However, the disease
is preventable when taking a
few steps to improve diet.
According to new research published
by the American Heart Association,
eating more fruits and
vegetables may reduce the risk of
developing peripheral artery disease,
which affects an estimated 8.5
million people in the United States
alone. Researchers examined dietary
data from roughly 3.7 million
men and women, with an average
age of 65. Approximately 6.3 percent
of the subjects had peripheral
artery disease, and 29.2 percent indicated
they ate three or more servings
of fruits and vegetables each
day. The discovery was those who
reported eating three or more daily
servings of fruits and vegetables
had an 18 percent lower risk of peripheral
artery disease than those
who reported eating less of these
foods. The association between
fruit and vegetable consumption
and lower risk remained even after
accounting for age, gender, race,
smoking status, and various cardiovascular
risk factors.
Saturated fats, trans-fats, and
sodium can contribute to the formation
of plaques that lead to peripheral
artery disease. Replacing
these foods with more vegetables
and fruits that are naturally lower
in saturated fats can help, as can
increasing dietary fiber consumption.
One way to incorporate these
types of foods is to adhere to a Mediterranean
diet, which offers high
proportions of legumes, fruits, and
vegetables; moderate amounts of
fish and dairy; and limited meat
and meat products.
Peripheral artery disease can
be a warning sign of cardiovascular
trouble. Altering one’s diet may
help naturally prevent or treat this
condition.
Eating more fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of developing peripheral artery disease.