by Patrick Massey, MD, PHD
For some time, we have known that air pollution can make asthma and other lung diseases, like emphysema, worse. Air pollution may also accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, and the University of Michigan discovered that even small amounts of air pollution, in conjunction with a high-fat diet, led to a significantly faster build-up of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries. The build-up of plaque is directly related to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
The researchers discovered that pollution and a high-fat diet also increased vasoconstriction (spasm of the arteries), decreasing blood flow to the heart and brain. Inflammation also plays an important role in the production of plaque, and air pollution amplified the inflammatory response by 2.6 times.
Neither a high-fat diet nor air pollution alone increased inflammation or vasoconstriction. But even a small amount of pollution, when combined with a high-fat diet, resulted in significant plaque formation. Heart disease, a major cause of death and illness in both men and women, may be aggravated by pollution from industry and automobiles.
Lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total amount of fat in the diet. Increasing specific omega-3 fats (docosahexanoic and eicosapentanoic fats) by eating more fish and fish oil, and eating more fruits and vegetables also can help. Exercise and weight loss are also beneficial for preventing diabetes and high blood pressure.
The best way to treat heart disease is to prevent it. Clean air, it seems, is a must.
Patrick B. Massey, M.D., Ph.D., is a medical director for alternative and complementary medicine. Website: alt-med.org. Reprinted by permission.
