Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... It has been observed that patients with pre-existing inflammatory diseases have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, for instance, systemic inflammation causes atherosclerosis. Section 2: Anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy foods and nutrients. Garlic and onions have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which promote a healthy heart. Consumption of a diet containing these foods has been associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure, oxidative stress and vascular inflammation (Vazquez-Prieto et al 5). A study on the effect of garlic on cardiovascular disorders by Banerjee and Maulik (2002) indicates a significant cardio-protective effect. Section 3: Evidence that garlic and onions are anti-inflammatory. Garlic and onions have organosulphur compounds, which have different effects on human health (Hedges & Lister). Consumption of diets rich in garlic and onions may help to counter inflammation (Maffetone 7). Research has shown that these foods inhibit the aggregation of platelets and lower levels of cholesterol (Srinivasan 170; Kochhar 338), which catalyses the production of anti-inflammatory chemicals. They also reduce oxidative stress (Vazquez-Prieto et al 5), which is responsible for the production of inflammation causing free radicals. Moreover, experiments with fructose fed rats (Vazquez-Prieto et al 5) showed that extracts of garlic and onions reverses increased vascular inflammation. Section 4: Comments on anti-inflammatory evidence. The evidence for the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and onions is precise and clear. It provides a comprehensive basis on the anti-oxidative properties of these foods, which is essential in dealing with chronic inflammation. Section 5: A study design to reinforce the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and onions. A randomized controlled trial will be used to assess the anti-inflammatory nature of garlic and onions. A sample of participants will be randomly chosen from the population, and their ethical approval will be sought. Those who grant ethical approval will be included in the study. They will then be split and assigned randomly to two equal groups, experimental and control group. The experimental group will be assigned meals containing a specified amount of garlic and onions. On the other hand, the control group will be assigned meals without garlic and onions. The study will ensure compliance such that participants in the control group will not consume garlic and onions during the study period. Pre-test and post-test measurements for blood cholesterol will be taken for all participants. Comparison for the efficacy of garlic and onions will then be made based on these measurements. Q2: CVD Risk Dietary fiber refers to the edible part of plants, which is resistant to digestion and absorption in the small intestine (Lattimer & Haub 1266). Soluble dietary fibers are fibers that dissolve in water to form viscous gels. The increased consumption of dietary fiber is associated with low risk of chronic diseases (Coleman 1), for instance, obesity, type-2 diabetes, cancer and CVD. Soluble dietary fibers such as ?-glucan reduce CVD risk by reducing blood cholesterol (Queenan et al 2). This soluble fiber is common in oats, which have a cholesterol lowering effect. However, despite the clear health benefits, the consumption of dietary fiber has been inhibited by its low palatability (Queenan et al. 2). Section 1: How dietary soluble fiber can lower CVD risk. Dietary soluble fiber reduces the serum cholesterol levels hence lowering CVD risk (Queenan et al. 6). ...Download file to see next pagesRead More