Obesity and Heart Disease
In this video, CNN personality Larry King hosts a panel of medical experts on obesity and heart disease, called “Take One Step: For a Healthy Heart.”
This segment talks about problems related to abdominal fat – an apple-shaped figure as opposed to pear-shaped. Dr. Steven Nissem points out that abdominal fat cells release a substance that triggers arterial plaque, leading to heart disease. Being a heart attack victim himself, Larry King brings his own knowledge and experience to the table, asking the doctors, “Are we what we eat?” The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”
Americans have become increasingly overweight as a population in the past 3 decades. Figures vary depending on the source, but the most common statistic seems to be that about one-third of adults are either overweight or obese. The problem is also becoming more and more prevalent among American children.
What Should We Do?
The point of this special is to get everyone who watches it to take just one step towards reducing the risk of heart disease. Among the recommendations from the panel:
- Eat fewer polyunsaturated fats, and eat more healthy fats
- Walk 30 minutes a day
- Eat one ounce of nuts per day
- Daily brushing and flossing (periodontal disease can lead to heart problems)
- Control the portion size at the dinner table
Diet and exercise are the keys to maintaining a healthy body weight, and reducing the risk of heart disease. The panelists recommend that if your body starts to take on an “apple” shape (i.e., lots of abdominal fat), you should stand up and take notice, and talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Dr Kal’s Addendum:
Great information from the panelist. I especially liked the advice about the Mediterranean Diet, which I am liking more and more. The Mediterranean Diet has been studied and studied some more. The results are all positive.
Lose weight permanently with my FREE weight loss plan, the Don’t Go Broke Weight Loss Plan.
Related posts: