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Following existing dietary recommendations could drastically cut cardiovascular deaths

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Sticking to governmental dietary recommendations may benefit individuals who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results. As many as 33,000 lives could be saved in the UK each year by simply following guidelines for a healthy diet.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death throughout much of the developed world. A major reason for this is the fact that common Western diets are very high in fat, while low in cholesterol-lowering fiber.

For this reason, most government health agencies recommend that individuals consume five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. While this could be extremely beneficial, few actually follow through on the advice.

However, researchers writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health estimated that following these recommendations could drastically cut the number of deaths from heart disease, stroke and cancer.

By reducing sodium and fat intake while increasing the intake of fiber from sources like fruits and vegetables, they estimate that 33,000 deaths in the UK could be prevented. World-wide death rates could see similar reductions.