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Heart/circulation
Coronary heart disease is the number one killer among adults in the UK, killing more than one out of every four men and one out of every six women. Heart disease develops as the coronary arteries, which provide oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the heart muscle, become clogged by the build-up of cholesterol plaques. This degenerative condition of the arteries is termed atherosclerosis. Although the causes of atherosclerosis still remain to be fully understood, cholesterol is clearly involved. It appears that cholesterol is in its most dangerous form when oxidised. Certain activities and environmental conditions are also known to make us more prone to arterial disease. They include smoking; high stress levels; diets high in saturated animal fat; eating sugar and other refined carbohydrates; a low fibre intake; excess alcohol; and lack of exercise. The chances of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by lifestyle changes to minimise or eliminate these risk factors, and by supplementing the diet with certain dietary nutrients.
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