Disease and Food Heart Disease

Disease and Food

Heart disease in the United States is an extremely serious issue, as a large portion of the population suffer and die from related disorders. Indeed, throughout the Western World, heart disease and its treatment have become important topics of research and academic discussion. In developed countries, where unhealthy fast foods are readily available, the problem appears to be related not only to lifestyle issues but also food intake. In addition to genetic factors, heart disease can also be caused by unhealthy eating habits, high stress levels, a lack of exercise, and an excess of drinking and smoking. Even for genetically-related cases, heart disease can be treated preventatively by moderate exercise and healthy eating habits. Indeed, researchers have found that certain foods can benefit the health of sufferers from this disease.

According to Kromhout et al., research findings indicate that not only a healthy diet, lifestyle and not smoking, but also a moderate alcohol intake of one or two drinks per day, can be associated with a lower risk of heart disease. When creating a menu for heart sufferers for any given week, this is an important factor to consider. Other factors such as susceptibility to alcoholism should however also be taken into account, and the dietician should ensure that the specific heart sufferer does not have issues with any of the foods or drinks suggested.

The Kromhout et al. study makes several recommendations for heart sufferers, and also for the prevention of developing heart disease later in life. Animal products such as red meat for example is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, while the risk posed by fatty fish is significantly lower. Fish should form part of the diet at least once per week. A high consumption (more than 400 g.) of fruit and vegetables per day is recommended, with a limited consumption of salt (less than 6 g.) per day. Finally, less than 2% and less than 10% of energy should be consumed from saturated and trans fat respectively. The researchers also recommend a healthy lifestyle such as not smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and moderate to vigorous physical exercise for at least 30 minutes per day.

In the United States, heart disease is specifically associated with the American paradigm of fast foods. Hamburgers, French fries, fried chicken and pizza pose particular dangers, as these are filled with a very high amount of animal proteins, cholesterol filled sauces, and saturated fats. While some fast food outlets have attempted to add healthier products to their menus, these form an inadequate balance with the unhealthy majority of items. Consuming fast food every day not only causes overweight and obesity, but also a very high risk of developing heart disease, or exacerbating it if it already exists.

The problem of such an unhealthy diet in the country is that it is perpetuated by availability and time-effective delivery. The current lifestyle, both in the United States and the Western world, incorporates longer hours of work that mostly requires a basic lack of physical activity. The majority of high-paying jobs in such countries are intellectual rather than physical. Furthermore, many of these jobs also incorporate a high level of stress, which is internalized. Workers are often unable or unwilling to make time for physical activity after a long day of work, and stress is not dissipated by means of such activity. Instead, a high level of smoking and drinking is used to mitigate stress. In addition, the lack of time to prepare a healthy meal furthermore encourages the consumption of unhealthy fats and proteins, which affects the body adversely.

It is clear that the above factors do not operate in isolation, but combine to contribute to the problem of heart disease. The time factor should be taken into account when creating healthy menu to benefit heart sufferers and to prevent heart disease from occurring. It should be taken into account that long hours cannot be invested into food preparation, and that most of the foods on the menu should be easily obtainable and little or no trouble to prepare.

Factors that are associated with heart disease and the above dietary problems in the United States include obesity. Obesity is becoming a particular problem in children, who are encouraged to indulge in fast foods by the lifestyles of their parents. Being occupied with work for long hours per day, parents seldom have time to prepare a healthy meal for themselves; much less for their children. Parents are also unable to control factors such as cafeteria meals offered at schools, which are often also excessively portioned and filled with unhealthy food elements. Indeed, current statistics hold that almost half of all citizens in the United States are overweight or obese. This figure includes children.

The obesity problem perpetuates itself in terms of emotional problems such as low self-esteem, and physical problems such as a lack of physical activity. These can result in further excessive eating habits not to satisfy hunger, but rather to derive comfort in mitigation of the problems experienced. Such eating habits however provide only temporary relief and exacerbate the problems that caused the habits in the first place. This then forms a vicious cycle of unhealthy eating and a poor level of both physical and emotional health.

In creating a weekly menu to benefit heart disease sufferers and prevent the disease in non-sufferers, the nutritionist needs to take all the above factors into account. It should also be taken into account that fatty and sweet foods are highly addictive, and that it may be difficult for clients to give up at once. It is therefore recommended that a flexible menu be created, with the first aim being to create a healthier balance in the eating habits of the client. The client should also receive weekly therapeutic sessions in order to deal with any non-dietary problems resulting from overweight and lifestyle issues. The most important factors to take into account include addictions to unhealthy foods or other substances, emotional problems related to overweight issues, and high stress levels as a result of both the mentioned emotional problems and work.

For a weekly diet, the following items can be suggested:

Monday:

Breakfast: Apple or banana with a portion of yoghurt, and a glass of juice.

Brunch: Any piece of fruit with one candy bar or ice cream (to be diminished as therapy continues)

Lunch: Skinless chicken or small portion of red meat with a slice of wholegrain bread, thinly spread with low-fat butter.

Afternoon: One cookie or small doughnut.

Supper: One slice of wholegrain bread with low-fat butter and cheese. One glass of red wine, juice, or water.