|
Description
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Q: How does the circulatory system work?
A: The circulatory system is a truly remarkable process. It starts at the pump, which is the heart, and delivers this wonderful supply of oxygen and nutrients throughout the entire body so that every cell receives the vital nourishment that it requires. Then the circulation continues beyond the arteries to the capillaries and returns back through the venous system to receive fresh oxygen through the lungs. Then it returns to the heart for the cycle to begin again.
Q: What are the most common circulatory problems?
A: In the United States, the most common circulatory problem is coronary artery disease (CAD); it afflicts approximately one of every two men and one of every three women in the course of their lifetime. The other vessels, which are afflicted by this same process (called atherosclerosis) are the blood vessels to the legs, brain, and kidneys.
Q: How can we prevent circulatory problems in the first place?
A: Before we talk about prevention, we must look at the prevalence of CAD There are many cultures on the planet in which this disease does not exist. For instance, if we were to look at American soldiers who died in combat in Korea and in Vietnam, it is estimated that roughly 80 percent of those battle casualties had coronary artery disease that could be seen at autopsy without a microscope.
A good example of more recent research is the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) trial. This study was interesting because it looked at those who had died of accidents, homicides, and suicides between the ages of 16 and 34. In that group, the disease was literally ubiquitous. Even in the 16-year-old girl, there was early disease in the right coronary artery. It gives one an idea of just how prevalent this is.
Dr. Lewis Kuller, a professor of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, conducted the 10-year Cardiovascular Health Study. He said that all men 65 years of age and all women 70 years of age who have been exposed to the traditional Western diet have cardiovascular disease and should be treated as such. The studies on soldiers during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the results of the PDAY study clearly indicate how early and how diffuse this disease begins to afflict us. It is no surprise that Dr. Kuller can state that all Americans beyond age 65 who have been exposed to the traditional Western diet have CAD.
The thing that I find so exciting about this epidemic--which is destroying Western health and has been touted to become the number one global disease burden by 2020--is that this disease is figuratively a 'paper tiger.' By that, I mean it need never exist. If coronary disease does exist, it need never progress.
There are cultures that by heritage and tradition do not consume oils, dairy, or animal products, which are the foundation for this horrendous epidemic. Those populations, which survive on plant-based nutrition, such as cereal, bread, pasta, vegetables, legumes, and fruit, do not really know of... |
More articles from Nutrition Health Review
Global warming on Mars.(Brief article), March 22, 2006
Half-hour CPR class.(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)(Brief article), March 22, 2006
Snake safety tips.(Brief article), March 22, 2006
Saliva clue to chronic bullying., March 22, 2006
Dangers of overindulgence for people with undiagnosed diabetes., March 22, 2006
Looking for additional articles?
Click here
to search our database of over 3 million articles.
|
(disease/disorder%20overview)%20%20&position=1)