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Health News Archive 123 - Cardiovascular Disease
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Increased Fiber intake Associated with Reduced Cardiovascular Disease Risk

A report published in the December 2005 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed the finding of French researchers that increased dietary fiber intake is associated with reduced levels of a number of cardiovascular disease risk factors. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence linking higher dietary fiber intake with a lower risk of heart disease.

Subjects were selected from participants in the SU.VI.MAX (SUpplementation en VItamines et Mineraux AntioXydants) study, an ongoing trial designed to evaluate the effect of antioxidants on cancer and heart disease incidence over an eight year period. Participants who provided at least six twenty-four hour dietary recalls during the first two years of the study were included in the current analysis. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured during the second year of follow-up. Blood samples collected during the first year were analyzed for plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I and B, and lipoprotein A. Plasma homocysteine was measured in a subsample of men at the three year point.

Individuals whose intake of dietary fiber was in the top one-fifth of participants had a significantly lower risk of being overweight as well as having elevations in blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, plasma apoplipoprotein B, apolipoprotein B to apoplipoprotein A-I ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides and homocysteine compared to those in the lowest fifth. A similar association was observed when nonsoluble dietary fiber was examined. Increased fiber intake from vegetables and cereals was associated with lower blood pressure and homocysteine levels.

"These findings suggest that 25 grams total dietary fiber per day is the minimum intake required to achieve a significant protective effect against cardiovascular disease;" the authors write. "However, total dietary fiber intakes of 30-35 grams/day will provide an even greater protective effect."

Source:

Denis Lairon, Nathalie Arnault, Sandrine Bertrais, Richard Planells, Enora Clero, Serge Hercberg, and Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault. Dietary fiber intake and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in French adults
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, Dec 2005; 82: 1185 - 1194.