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Cardiovascular diseases have emerged as a leading cause of death, showing the importance of healthy, nutrient-based dietary choices.
A report based on a study conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that the nutrient has the potential to lower heart disease risk if consumed in the right amount.
Essential nutrient Selenium is gaining a lot of attention these days after a recent study linked it to several heart health benefits. A report based on a study conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that the nutrient has the potential to lower heart disease risk if consumed in the right amount.
The study was conducted on 39,000 people and is based on years of data, as per the Times of India. It showed that as selenium intake increased, heart risks dropped to a certain point. The sweet spot is around 135 micrograms per day, the report added. It means that excess consumption may not lead to the expected results and may even reverse the benefits.
Hence, balance is key when consuming selenium, which is most easily found in Brazil nuts. Additionally, sunflower seeds, whole grains, eggs, and fish are other sources of this nutrient, which can be extracted from natural foods, eliminating the need for relying on supplements.
Recently, cardiovascular diseases have been on the rise globally and have emerged as a leading cause of death. According to the NIH, in 2019, cardiovascular disease claimed 9.6 million men and 8.9 million women globally, with over six million deaths occurring between the ages of 30 and 70.
The NIH study found that China, India and Russia were among the countries most vulnerable to this shadow pandemic. Experts stress that healthy aging without heart disease is the key goal to reverse this pattern.
Former President of the World Heart Federation, Professor Fausto Pinto, published a report in 2023,which stressedthat80% of premature heart attacks and strokes can be prevented. According to the report cardiovascular disease-related deaths were becoming common due to problems like high blood pressure, air pollution and tobacco use. It also highlighted that low and middle-income countries were particularly vulnerable to this issue due to several reasons, including lifestyle choices.
The report found that countries spending more on healthcare (as a share of GDP) have lower CVD death rates, while those with higher out-of-pocket costs see more CVD deaths. It indicates the need for government-backed intervention to deal with CVD deaths, in addition to individual focus on consuming a healthy diet and adopting an active lifestyle.
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