Oats: Food fiber Protect Heart

Various studies prove, fibrous foods - especially the type of fiber betaglukan - able to reduce levels of bad cholesterol (low densy lipoprotein / LDL) in blood. If low levels of LDL in the blood, the cardiovascular health becomes more assured.

"Fiber betaglukan on processed wheat products are known as oats or oatmeal. Oat fiber that can bind lemat like jelly in the blood and throw it through the feces," said clinical nutrition specialist from Fatmawati Hospital, Jakarta, Pauline Dr. Endang Praptini in media discussions about "Power of Oatmeal for Heart Health", in Jakarta, late last week.

Pauline presents the results of a study entitled 'The Effect of Cholesterol Oatmeal On' in 1999. The study involved 30 adult men aged 40 years and over in good health and cholesterol levels 220-300 mg / dl.

The study was conducted over six weeks to the treatment of wheat by 75 grams per day in the form of cakes and porridge. "The result is decreased 14% in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased 17 percent," said Pauline.

According to the American Cancer Society, oat fiber is soluble fiber that can lower LDL cholesterol without lowering HDL cholesterol. LDL is bad cholesterol, while HDL is good cholesterol. Oats also contain glikemi low. With so oatmeal is very good for diabetics because the level of blood sugar produced after eating very low.

"The high levels of LDL is the main cause of rising cases of coronary heart disease. Although there is a faster pharmacological therapy for lowering LDL, but treatment with wheat cereal consumption is more healthy and without side effects. It's a little troublesome and time consuming," said Pauline.

Also oatmeal is another good source of nutrients such as vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron and magnesium. as well as a good source of protein for the body.

To get the maximum results, continued Pauline, every day a person should consume as much as 70 grams of oats. The amount must be right, because if excessive, the result would not be maximal.

One thing that is not less important dalah reduction in blood cholesterol levels is exercise. "Do not forget to exercise at least 3 times a week," he said.

Cholesterol, said Pauline explains, is the saturated fats that circulate in the blood produced by the liver and intestine, and comes from animal foods. Cholesterol is needed by the body for the formation of hormones. This type of cholesterol in the body is in total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), VLDL (triglycerides).

Clog

Cholesterol is particularly virulent, blamed as the cause of coronary heart disease because it causes blood vessels clogged and harden (atherosclerosis). As a result the blood flow is not smooth or clogged. "If the blocked blood flow to the heart is, then there is coronary heart disease (CHD). If it leads to a brain stroke. It could also hamper the blood circulation in the legs, giving rise to a black color. The risk is the same, death," said Pauline.

Coronary heart disease deserves attention, because it is still ranked first as a human killer. Based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2001, every year there are approximately 7.2 million deaths from CHD. "In Indonesia, a scourge of CHD for men, because the disease is most common men," he said.

Coronary heart disease is not only attacking the parents, but have started attacking their 30-year-old. Of course, this is not surprising because we are accustomed to unhealthy lifestyle since childhood.

In addition to high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, Pauline added, the factors causing the occurrence of CHD such as diabetes mellitus or diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and the habit of eating high-fat but low in fat.

According to Pauline, the process of blood vessel blockage is getting into when we apply the unhealthy lifestyle of food such as frequently eating fast food, drink soft drinks or sugary drinks too much and not balanced with water and rarely exercise.

For that, says Pauline, very necessary and urgent change a healthy lifestyle. For example, sleep for 8 hours, eat-fiber foods, exercise regularly, not smoking, lose weight, reduce cholesterol levels <200 mg / Hr., 10-25gr/hari fiber, saturated fatty acids <7 percent of total calories, be absolute requirement for free from CHD.