Diet and Health

Chapter 11

Diet

Health

DietHealth

Diet

health

Degenerative Disease

chronic

mostly irreversible

characterized by degeneration of the organs

• food choices• smoking• physical activity• alcohol use

many contributing factors

Correlation and Causation

• A correlation between a risk factor and a disease does not mean the risk factor causes the disease

Correlation = association

• An act or agent which results in an effect

Causation = produces an effect

Correlation does NOT equal Causation

Risk Factors

Variables

Associated with increased disease risk

Correlational

Not causal

Heart Disease

Atherosclerosis

Characterized by plaque

Complex inflammatory process!

Damage to artery wall

• Smoking• Aging• Hyperlipidemia

Fatty streak

• Body responds• Inflammation • LDL oxidation

Plaque• Smooth muscle• macrophages• Lipoproteins

Atherosclerosis

Non-modifiable CAD Risk FactorsIn

crea

sing

age Age

Mal

e ge

nder Gender

Fam

ily H

isto

ry Genetics

Modifiable CAD Risk FactorsIn

crea

sing

wei

ght Obesity

Toba

cco Smoking

Hig

h bl

ood

pres

sure Hypertension

Abno

rmal

blo

od li

pids dyslipidemia

Insu

lin re

sist

ance Diabetes

Lack

of e

xerc

ise Physical

inactivity

Atherogenic Diet: modifiable risk factor

High in saturated fat

High in trans fat

High in cholesterol

Low in fruits

Low in vegetables

Low in whole grains

Hypertension: High Blood Pressure

Heart pumping blood

Size of the arteries

Volume of fluid in vessels

Image from Sizer Whitney, 2012

Blood Pressure

Normal: 120/80

High: > 130/85

Hypertension Risk Factors

Atherosclerosis

Obesity

Insulin resistance

Age

Genetics

Lower Blood PressureLower sodium intake

Lose weight

Alcohol in moderation

Increase intake of fresh fruit and vegetables

Reduce intake of fat

Increase calcium, potassium and magnesium

Increase physical activity

DASH

Die

tIncrease calcium

Increase potassium

Increase magnesium

Increase Vitamin C

CancerGenetics

Viral infections

Lifestyle choices

Environmental factors

Nutrition

carcinogens cell damage cancer development

Cancer Development

CarcinogensmokeDNA

Damagecells Cells multiplymultiply

Promoterscells Metastasisinvade

Exposed to carcinogens daily

Not all carcinogens cause damage

Anti-oxidants quench free radicals

Body can repair cell damage

Damage not repaired -> cell self-destructs

Diet & Lifestyle to Reduce Cancer Risk

High fruits, vegetables and whole grains

Diets lower in calories (moderation)

Healthy weight: Obesity is associated with some cancers

Increased physical activity - lower risk of colon cancer

Diets low in saturated fat (research is mixed)

Limit red meats/processed meats

Limit alcohol intake

BBQ Browning reaction

Heterocyclic amines Carcinogenic

Meat drippings

Carcinogens (smoke)

Stick to the meat

Image from Wikipedia

Carbohydrate rich food

Cooked at high temps Acrylamide Carcinogenic

Image from Wikipedia

• Impact of food on gene expression

Nutrigenomics

Commander Genes Peer Pressure

Genes

Diet

End

Health

The