It has been suggested for years that your Dad's high cholesterol or bad ticker will be passed down to you. This may no longer be the case. Researchers at McMaster and McGill universities have discovered the gene that is the strongest marker for heart disease can be modified by generous amounts of fruit and raw vegetables. It was shown that the 9p21 genetic variants carry the increased risk of heart disease for those who carry it, but following a healthy diet of raw fruits and veggies can significantly weaken it's effect. The study has shown this to be true for those of all ethnicities as well. The research done represents one of the largest gene-diet interactions studies ever done on cardiovascular diseases. It involved over 27,000 people. Over all the results suggest that individuals with the high risk genotype who consumed a prudent diet, composed mainly of raw vegetables, fruits and berries, had a similar risk of heart attack to those with the low risk genotype.
So now when you think you're doomed for a heart attack and cholesterol medications at 40 like your father and your father's father and your father's father's father, just remember to grab a salad to throw off those "bad genes".
I am a huge believer in the "power" of greens. Seeing this published is greatly appreciated, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI highly agree that eating healthy green vegetables will decrease our chances of obtaining health problems in the future. This article is very interesting about how the health conditions can be passed down from our parents. Eating vegetable seem like such an easy way to eliminate a horrible problem, which is great.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I love fruits an vegetables and this will only make me eat them more. I am curious however as to how exactly they weaken the effects of the gene.
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