|
E-mail this page to a friend!
Senior Citizens Reduce Cardiovascular, Diabetes
Risks Eating More Whole Grains
Feb. 6, 2006 Senior citizens can lower their risk
of cardiovascular disease and reduce the threat of metabolic syndrome by
consuming a diet rich in whole-grain foods. Metabolic syndrome is a
collection of risk factors that puts people at an increased risk of
cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
(Note: This is the second story
published by SeniorJournal.com on this study. For the first, including
more on whole grains, see story in side bar, "Related Stories."
The study, by researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA
Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA), is
published in the January issue of American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition.
It is a collaborative effort that included Paul
Jacques, DSc, director of the Nutritional Epidemiology Program at the
HNRCA, Nicola McKeown, PhD, scientist in the same program, and others,
examined the relationship between whole-grain intake and cardiovascular
disease risk factors, metabolic syndrome, and the incidence of death due
to cardiovascular disease in the elderly.
Previous studies have found a link between
whole-grain intake and reduced risk of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged
populations. Whats unique about our study, says McKeown, is that we
went back to data that was collected 20 years ago, using diet records
that captured food intake, and found that whole-grain foods had a
subsequent benefit in the elderly.
The ability of researchers to differentiate whole
grains from refined grains more accurately through the use of diet
records is a major advantage when assessing dietary intake.
In past studies, states McKeown, fixed food
categories have made it difficult to accurately separate whole and
refined grains for some food items such as breads.
According to Jacques, who is also a professor at
the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts, consuming
a high whole grain diet is likely to have positive metabolic effects in
elderly individuals, who are prone to greater insulin resistance and
impaired glucose tolerance.
McKeown and Jacques found that, indeed, as
whole-grain intake increased, fasting blood sugar levels were lower in
these subjects.
Refined grain intake, on the other hand, was
associated with higher fasting blood sugar levels. Elevated fasting
blood sugar levels can indicate impaired glucose tolerance and the
presence of diabetes.
In addition, people who consumed high amounts of
refined grains had twice the risk of having metabolic syndrome than
those people who consumed the fewest servings of refined grains.
It is important to note, cautions McKeown, that
the subjects in the study were not a representative sample of the
elderly, so we do not know the implications of applying these results to
other populations. Based on the research, whole-grain intake is one
modifiable dietary risk factor that may lead to substantial health
benefits at the population level, even among an older population.
| |
U.S. Dietary
Guidelines 2005 |
|
| |
"Consume 3 or more
ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products per day, with the rest
of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain
products. In general, at least half the grains should come from
whole grains." (Read more on guidelines below story linked
in side bar, "Related Stories".) |
|
"Older adults should be encouraged to increase
their daily intake of whole grain foods to three or more servings a day
by substituting whole grains for refined grains.
The recent revision of the Food Guide Pyramid, the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans has, for the first time, provided the
public with a quantitative recommendation for whole-grain intake.
About the study:
By Sahyoun NR , Jacques PF, Zhang XL, Juan W,
McKeown NM. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006 (January); 83:
124-131. Whole-grain intake is inversely associated with the metabolic
syndrome and mortality in older adults.
The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of
Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University is the only independent
school of nutrition in the United States. The schools eight centers,
which focus on questions relating to famine, hunger, poverty, and
communications, are renowned for the application of scientific research
to national and international policy.
For two decades, the Jean Mayer USDA Human
Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University has studied the
relationship between good nutrition and good health in aging
populations.
Tufts research scientists work with federal
agencies to establish the USDA Dietary Guidelines, the Dietary Reference
Intakes, and other significant public policies.
Click here to Search SeniorJournal.com for more on
this subject
Click to More Senior News on the
Front Page
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
