Meat-rich diet may put women above 50 at a high risk of heart failure

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: If you are a woman and are above the age of 50, you need to be careful about your diet. Diets high in protein and more specifically, meat-rich diets can put you at a risk of heart failure, a research has found.

The study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2016, also discovered that the rate of heart failure was significantly higher for women who consumed a larger amount of total dietary protein than women who ate less protein, or got more of their protein from vegetables rather than animal sources.

However, although women who ate higher amounts of vegetable protein appeared to suffer less from heart failure, this link was not significant when the researchers adjusted for body mass.

The study’s author Mohamad Firas Barbour also commented that although vegetable protein appeared to have a protective effect, additional studies are needed to look further at this potential association.

The team also found that the study’s findings were true regardless of age, race or ethnicity, level of education, or if the women had high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, anemia, or atrial fibrillation, and added that previous studies have also found a link between increased protein from meat and cardiovascular risk in women.

“While a better understanding of dietary risk is still needed, it appears that heart failure among postmenopausal women is not only highly prevalent but preventable by modifying diet,” said Barbour, adding that, “A better understanding of nutrition-related factors associated with heart failure is needed.”

Current guidelines from the American Heart Association recommend a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low-fat dairy products, poultry (without the skin), and fish at least twice a week, especially varieties high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, trout, and herring. The guidelines also recommend limiting red meat and sugary foods and beverages.

(With Agency inputs)