Monday, November 10, 2008

Calcium-rich diet lowers heart disease

A new study shows that adopting a calcium-rich diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

According to the study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, regular exercise and a calcium-rich diet lowers the risk of metabolic syndrome, linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The study reported that metabolic syndrome is more prevalent among elderly, underprivileged and less educated individuals along with those suffering from hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and those who exercise less and consume less calcium-rich foods.

Findings revealed that while a sedentary lifestyle doubles the metabolic syndrome risk, consuming foods low in calcium is associated with a 1.5 times higher risk of the condition.

The metabolic syndrome, characterized by abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure and glucose intolerance, places individuals at an increased risk of coronary heart disease and other related ailments such as stroke, peripheral vascular disease and type 2 diabetes.