Conclusions of the Study

Results of this study demonstrated an incidence of 4.3% of myocardial infarctions of the total participants seven of which resulted in death (Malaviarachchi et al., 2002). There was no relationship between high intake of iron and hemeiron and increased risk for myocardial infarction in the present study. In fact, this study found that those participants with higher iron and hemeiron intake were at lower risk for myocardial infarction but the results did not demonstrate statistical significance Malaviarachchi et al., 2002). Therefore the concerns regarding the public health promotion of learn meat as an appropriate source of iron was invalidated.

The study did find relationships between age and health factors to be correlated to the development of myocardial infarction. As individual ages, each decade they double their risk of myocardial infarction. Further, individuals with diabetes, smokers, and those with high BMI are also at increased risk. Lastly, the understanding that diet is influenced by culture and therefore varies by country and region would require continued research at various local levels to support these findings.

Article 3: The effect of dietary protein intake on coronary heart disease risk

Objective of the Article

The present authors sought to identify the impact of protein intake on coronary heart disease (CHD) as related to diet, nutrients, obesity, body lipid levels, and blood pressure (Papakonstantinou & Zampelas, 2008). While previous studies have looked at the role of carbohydrates and fat on CHD, few have explored the role of protein. Therefore the authors set out to explore the studies that do exist on the role of protein in moderating CHD risk factors (Papakonstantinou & Zampelas, 2008).

Methodologies

The authors have conducted a metanalysis of previous research on the impact of protein intake on the development of heart disease. In particular they explored studies that explored the impact of dietary protein on body weight, lipid concentrations, glycaemic control, arterial blood pressure, as well as renal function.

Conclusions of the Study

There is conflicting research surrounding the connection between protein intake...

While some studies found that low levels of animal proteins were associated with increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke, others found that a higher protein intake level had a decreased risk of CHD (Papakonstantinou & Zampelas, 2008). Still other studies have found that there is no correlation between total protein, both animal and plant, and CHD risk in women while a higher plant protein intake can slightly reduce CHD risk.
Type of association found in the Studies

Across the three studies there is consistent evidence to support the belief that there is a link between diet and coronary heart disease. Each study has explored how the effect of diet has impacted the risk of heart disease while considering metabolic processes. There was also need to control for not only dietary habits but also other individual factors such as physical activity, obesity, genetics, smoking, environment, and socioeconomic status. While some of the studies explored here have demonstrated a relationship between a particular aspect of diet and risk of heart disease results across the studies are not consistent. Yet each study has continued previous research into the impact of diet on heart disease and there is consistent evidence to suggest that this association exists,