Nutrition for Cardiovascular Disease & Cancer

Nutrition for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease & Cancer

• The presentation covers nutrition management for patients with conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and hypertension.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to discuss dietary management and the prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cancer.

Hypertension: The DASH Diet

• Hypertension is high blood pressure, a condition where the force of blood flowing through blood vessels is consistently too high.

• The DASH diet is a dietary approach to stop hypertension. It emphasizes high intake of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

• Sodium intake should be reduced.

• Ideal body weight management is crucial for controlling hypertension.

• Physical activity, such as 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, is beneficial.

• Blood Pressure Categories (AHA updated guidelines):

  • Normal: Systolic less than 120 and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg
  • Elevated: 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic mm Hg
  • Hypertension Stage 1: 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic mm Hg
  • Hypertension Stage 2: 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic mm Hg
  • Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180 and/or higher than 120 mm Hg (consult doctor immediately).

Risk Factors for Hypertension

• Non-modifiable: Age, race/ethnicity, gender, family history.
• Modifiable: Overweight (BMI >25), inactivity, tobacco use, high sodium intake, low potassium, calcium, magnesium intake, alcohol intake, stress.
• Other chronic conditions: high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease, insufficient sleep, sleep apnea, overwork (40+ hrs/week).

Complications of Hypertension

• Target-organ damage, including stroke, retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary heart disease, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and renal failure.

Dietary Management for Hypertension

• Reduce salt/sodium intake.
• Manage ideal body weight.

DASH Diet

• Non-pharmacological approach to prevent hypertension.

• High in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.

• Adequate calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

• Low in red meat, sweets, sugar beverages, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.

• Potassium: Clinical trials show potassium supplementation lowers blood pressure. Maintaining adequate potassium intake (ideally from food) is essential.

• Magnesium: Evidence suggests a link between lower magnesium intake and hypertension.

• Calcium: An increase in calcium intake may lower blood pressure, especially in salt-sensitive individuals.

DASH Diet Pattern (2000 calorie diet)

• Grains (6-8 servings per day)

• Vegetables (4-5 servings per day)

• Fruits (4-5 servings per day)

• Low-fat/fat-free dairy (2-3 servings per day)

• Meat, poultry, fish (less than 6 servings per day)

• Nuts, seeds, dried beans/peas (4-5 per week)

• Fats/oils (2-3 servings per week)

• Sweets (less than 5 per week)

• Sodium (2300 mg per day)

• Excessive Salt: Do not consume more than 6g of salt or 2g of sodium per day.

• Cut Sodium: Remove salt shaker, add less salt to cooking, use fresh or frozen vegetables without added salt, use herbs/spices instead of salt, use fresh poultry/lean meat, and fish.

• Physical Activity: Maintain a 30-minute moderate-intensity exercise routine most days of the week or 10-minute sessions.

• Smoking/Alcohol: Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

• A leading cause of CVD death in Malaysia.

Hyperlipidemia

• Elevated blood lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides.

Risk Factors for Hyperlipidemia

• Overweight/obese
• Diet high in saturated fat & cholesterol
• Low fruit/vegetable, fiber intake
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Genetic factors/family history
• Hormonal diseases (Diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism)
• Certain medications (Birth control pills, hormone therapy, beta-blockers)

Recommendations to Reduce Risk of Hyperlipidemia and CVD

• Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains: Consume fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Lean meats, oily fish, and low-fat options: Increase consumption of these options.
• Limit salt: Limit salt intake,
• Moderate alcohol: Moderate alcohol consumption.
• Reduce sugar: Limit sugar intake.
• Dietary fiber: Adequate intake of dietary fiber.
• Fat control: Limit saturated fat and trans fat.
• Carbohydrates: Choose complex carbohydrates.

Cancer Fighting Food

• Focus on foods that aid in cancer prevention.

AICR 10 Recommendations for Cancer Prevention

• 30% of cancers have a preventable nutrition component through diet.
• Recommendation 1: Be Lean—Work on building lean body mass—Avoid excess belly fat
• Recommendation 2: Exercise—30 minutes daily of physical activity (walking, playing, swimming)
• Recommendation 3: Avoid Sugar—Limit sugary drinks and high-energy foods
• Recommendation 4: Eat Variety—Eat 5 servings fruits/vegetables, 2/3 plate of produce and grains
• Recommendation 5: Limit Red Meat—18 oz per week, avoid charred foods
• Recommendation 6: Avoid Alcohol
• Recommendation 7: Limit Salt—Use herbs and spices to season
• Recommendation 8: Aim for Plant-based Foods-Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone, consume meals with plant focus
• Recommendation 9: Breastfeeding—Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is beneficial.
• Recommendation 10: Cancer Survivors—After treatment, cancer survivors should follow recommendations for prevention.

Further Reading

• Website links for further information are provided regarding AICR cancer prevention., CVD prevention, and dietary management for hypertension.

This quiz explores nutrition management strategies for patients with cardiovascular disease and cancer. It covers dietary approaches, specifically the DASH diet for hypertension, and emphasizes the importance of dietary management in preventing diet-related non-communicable diseases. Understanding these concepts is essential for effective patient care.