Carbs Linked with Atherosclerosis

Carbs Linked with Atherosclerosis

BOSTON--Carbohydrates may promote progression of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women, while saturated fats may not, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (80, 5:1102-1103, 2004) (www.ajcn.org).

In the clinical trial, 2,243 coronary segments belonging to 235 postmenopausal women with established coronary heart disease were assessed for atherosclerosis at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. The subjects usual dietary intake was assessed at baseline; mean total fat intake was between 25 and 31 percent of total energy intake. In multivariate analyses, a higher saturated fat intake was linked with a lesser decline in mean minimal coronary diameter and less progression of coronary stenosis (narrowing or obstruction of arteries or veins of the heart) during follow-up. This inverse association was more prominent among subjects with lower monounsaturated fat and higher carbohydrate intakes and possibly lower total fat intake. Carbohydrate intake was linked with atherosclerotic progression, particularly when the glycemic index was high. Polyunsaturated fat intake was linked with atherosclerotic progression when other fats but not carbohydrate or protein were replaced. Monounsaturated and total fat intakes were not associated with progression of atherosclerosis.

The researchers concluded that in postmenopausal women with relatively low total fat intake, a greater saturated fat intake is associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis, whereas carbohydrate intake is associated with a greater progression of the disease.