Discuss the relationship between diet, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and circulatory disease.

Too much fat in the diet can cause fatty build ups of plaque in the arteries called Atheroma. The more blocked an artery is the less space there is for blood to flow through it , resulting in higher blood pressure, as the heart has to work harder to circulate the blood and at the same time highers the stress on itself.

An important part of reducing cholesterol in the blood is eating a healthy diet, this includes eating less saturated fats and trans fats, eating more fruit and veg, whole grains and fibres,drinking less alcohol and reducing salt intake.

Trans fats naturally occur in meat and dairy products. They can be found in many processed foods and sweets and have the same effects on the body as saturated fats.

However, there are fats that the heart needs to stay healthy. These are mono and poly-unsaturated fats which are found in fish oils and plants. By lowering triglycerides in the blood, they lower the risk of cardio vascular disease (CVD) by reducing blood clotting and regulating the heart rhythm.

Some plant derived compounds-'stanol' or 'sterol esters' have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. They can be found in some drinks, yoghurt's, spreads and soya(dairy alternative).

A person should try to consume 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. They contain essential nutrients eg: vitamins C and E and carotenoids.(organic pigments). They could help protect the body from (CVD) by limiting the damage done to the blood vessels by cholesterol.

Research has shown that wholegrain foods can reduce the risk of (CVD) by up to 30% . While Fibre lowers LDL cholesterol.

High intakes of alcohol results in higher risk of clots forming in the blood. However 1-2 units of alcohol a day has been found to reduce the risk of (CVT). Saving all the units up and then binge drinking does not give the same benefits.

Soya protein is a good substitute for meat and 25g+ a day has shown a reduction in LDL cholesterol and (CVD). It inhibits the growth of cells that form artery clogging plaque.

Ref: Image from www.kidneydiettips.dowitablogs.com/up-content/uploads/2008/10/istock_000006148437-heart.jpg

www.bbc.co.uk/health/treatments/healthy-living/nutrition/dietary_cvd.shtml
(reviewed in July 2008 by MRC Human Nutrition Research. (accessed 03/05/2010)