Alternative Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease

• Dietary Approaches:

  • CAD: avoidance of caffeine, excessive alcohol use; decreased intake of refined foods, sugar, saturated animal fats, tranfatty acids (margarine and processed foods), and salt; increased intake of fiber, whole grains, vegetables, foods high in omega-3 fatty
  • Hyperlipidemia: Replacement of animal fats with soy and vegetable based foods has shown modest cholesterol reduction. Studies show consumption of 25-50g of soy protein resulted in LDL decrease of 7%, 10%, 24% in mild, moderate, severe hyperlipedemia, re
  • Hypertension: Recent study showed diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in fatty dairy products and salt (DASH diet) reduced systolic blood pressure by 9-11mm Hg and diastolic by 4.5 mm Hg.