A
high fat diet leads to CHD. Discuss.
Yvette Kim
CHD is short for Coronary Heart Disease, which is the stiffening and deposition
of atheroma in the coronary arteries at the heart. A complete blockage,
thrombosis, in the coronary arties will lead to a heart attack. The amount of
different types of fats in a person’s diet is correlated with the risk of CHD.
In western regions of the world, it is common to observe the positive
correlation of saturated fatty acids and CHD incidence. Saturated fatty acid
deposits in the arteries may combine with cholesterol to lead to
atherosclerosis, which is a condition that leads to high blood pressure by a
decrease in lumen diameter. Saturated fatty acids are most commonly found in
animal products and processed foods.
Meanwhile, unsaturated fatty acids (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated)
found in vegetable oil show a weaker relationship with the incidence of CHD.
The unsaturated fatty acids do not deposit in the arteries nor combine with
cholesterol.
However, a diet high in trans fatty acids, made through hydrogenation of
liquid plant oil or naturally present in meat, increases the consumption of
cholesterol, increasing the risk of CHD. Yet, trans fatty acids are not
commonly over consumed as much as saturated fatty acids.
Cholesterol, a fat produced by the liver from consumed fats, are, as
mentioned frequently, hold a relationship between high fat diets and CHD
incidents. LDL cholesterol is referred as ‘bad’ as it forms atheroma. HDL
cholesterol is referred as ‘good’ as it helps remove cholesterol away and back
to the liver to be broken down. LDL and HDL are produced both by saturated
fatty acids. Hence, saturated fatty acids must be considered as harmful only
according to the amount of consumption, not just its type.
Considering that all fatty acids are high in energy content, a risk of
obesity is always correlated to fatty acid consumption regardless of their
type. As obesity puts further strains on the heart, it may be suitable to
conclude that a high fat diet does cause CHD.
Fat consumption is not the only cause of CHD. Age, gender, genetic
factors, lack of exercising and smoking are all different causes of CHD. Blood
vessels stiffen with age while lack of exercising leads to obesity and nicotine
in cigarettes promotes vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure. Other
chemicals in cigarette smoke harm the tissue of arteries, causing other heart
diseases as well. A family history of CHD is also a cause as lifestyles of smoking,
lack of exercise and diet can be similar within family members.
Bibliography:
Biology for the IB Diploma (second edition)
작성자가 댓글을 삭제했습니다.
답글삭제WWW
답글삭제1. The differentiation between LDL and HDL cholesterol.
2. The differentiation between saturated and unsaturated fats.
3. Outlining other causes of CHD other than diet.
4. Link between obesity, diet and CHD.
EBI
1. Do all high fat diets cause CHD? You did mention unsaturated fatty acids.
I guess all high fat diets ultimately leads to CHD. All high fat diets are high in energy content, which can obviously lead to obesity. Obesity has a positive relationship with CHD incidents, so yes, all high fat diets lead to CHD.
삭제WWW: Commencing the essay with the general information and current situation is a marvelous idea. The causes and the consequences of the CHD is smartly outlined and discussed.
답글삭제EBI: Try to link the causes of CHD with the function of liver as we are currently learning such topic.
Cholesterol is produced in the liver, which may contribute to CHD. But the liver also functions as reducing CHD, as the liver breaks down cholesterol accumulated in the arteries as it binds with HDL cholesterol.
삭제Q: how can you link the causes of CHD with the function of liver?
답글삭제Cholesterol is produced in the liver, which may contribute to CHD. But the liver also functions as reducing CHD, as the liver breaks down cholesterol accumulated in the arteries as it binds with HDL cholesterol.
답글삭제You have create a well written blog, and discussed the topic with clarity. You have stated that a high fat diet leads to obesity which is a major factor in CHD, thus regardless of the type of fat, a high fat diet leads to CHD. However, if an individual has a high calorific output (i.e. through exercise), then will the type of fat in their diet affect their chances of having CHD?
답글삭제Remember to provide your sources in the future.