How to prevent myocardial infarction?

Thougths evolve on the harmful role of saturated fats, so what are the real causes of myocardial infarction?

Short anwser

LDL or bad cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular diseases, but these are some of specific components that have an adverse effect. Whaterver it is or not a good indicator on the medical office, in life, the solution is simpler: take a mediterranean diet, and thus ensure greater longevity ...

Long answer

You have to worry of cardiac risk if:

  • One of your parents was a victim.
  • None of your ancestors has been a victim, but they had a less sedentary lifestyle, ate less and were more physically active.
  • After a check of three molecules that we will see later, excessive levels are detected.
myocardial infarction and fructose
Infarction depends much on fructose

Bad cholesterol is considered the main cause of heart attack: fat cells tend to clump on the walls of blood vessels. When clots break off and form a plug, it's a heart attack. To prevent LDL, reduce saturated fats in the diet. This is what we were taught and which is repeated in every article on the subject. Yet it must be examined more closely.

A scientific study in 2010 by the National Dairy Council on a large scale shows that there is no correlation between dietary saturated fat and cardiovascular events. Numerous studies show that significantly reduced saturated fats (to lower cholesterol) is ineffective if sugar is increased correspondingly. It may even be worse. But if saturated fat is replaced by polyunsaturated fat (as found in almonds), cardiac risk is significantly reduced according to other studies.

Three molecules are in fact related to myocardial infarction:

  • Apolipoprotein B. Essential to the formation of LDL as plaque in blood vessels. Its presence beyond the norm is an indicator of vascular risk more convincing than LDL.
  • C-reactive protein. When present in high quantities in the blood, this indicates a high risk of atherosclerosis. Researchers are divided on the fact that it is the cause. According to some it prevents the growth of blood vessels, which increases the risk.
  • Lipoprotein(a). It is composed of LDL. Its increase is directly correlated with cardiac risk. It is unclear whether it is the cause. It is unclear how to reduce rates, since LDL is partly synthesized by metabolism.

So as you can see, the risk indicators are related to LDL, but it is not LDL itself that produces this risk. You can get in laboratory more precise tests for these three molecules.

Omega 3 counteract the effects of Apolipoprotein B in its action to transport the LDL in the blood and be deposited in arteries. We also know that exercise has a positive effect, it consumes fats, and sugars that are equally harmful.

We also know that the mediterranean diet or a diet such as that of the island of Ikaria, prevents cardiac risk and extend longevity in general.

Some foods are not recommended:

  • All sugary foods.
  • High glycemic index foods.
  • Trans fatty acids.
  • Palm oil, peanut.

Others have a positive impact or no impact:

  • Butter (no effect).
  • Canola (positive).
  • Soybean (positive).
  • Walnuts, almonds (very positive).

Deprecated foods also tend to cause obesity, diabetes, and later Alzheimer's disease. There are even more reason to follow a mediterranean diet!