Globalization of Dietary Wild Foods Protect against Cardiovascular Disease and all Cause Mortalities? A Scientific Satement from the International College of Cardiology, Columbus Paradigm Institute and the International College of Nutrition

ABSTRACT

Dietary pattern consisting of high intakes of vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains, can be protective against mortality from cardiovascular and malignant diseases. A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies demonstrated that an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables from less than 3 to more than 5 servings/day is related to a 17% reduction, whereas an increased intake from 3 to 5 servings/day is associated with a smaller and borderline significant reduction in CAD risk. These results provide evidence supporting that 5 or more servings per day of fruit and vegetables, are needed to protect from CVD. Other cohort studies identified 2 dietary patterns from data collected on serial food frequency questionnaires. One pattern, called “prudent”, was characterized by a high vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains. The other pattern,which is proatherogenic, called “Western”, corresponded to a high consumption of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, french fries, sweets, and desserts. More recently, “Designer” foods containg nutrients such as w-3 fatty acids, selected groups of vitamins and trace elements, and antioxidants are being available that may have the potential for inclusions in the “prudent” dietary pattern in the future. Indeed in the year 2009, European Union has allocated a budget of 9 million Euro for conducting research to examine the effects of “designer” foods on health biomarkers. These efforts are being recognized by the World Health Organization, International College of Nutrition and the International College of Cardiology.