CONTROLLING CORONARY RISK THROUGH NUTRITION

The epidemic of coronary artery disease (CAD), the main cause of death s in 'western' countries, could have been avoided through appropriate lifestyles of eating and activities. The dramatic decline in CAD in so me countries is more difficult to attribute to changes than is the rap id rise in eastern European coutries (high dietary saturated fat plus smoking). While CAD rates in Asian/Pacific countries are relatively lo w, subgroups, mainly through affluence, show high rates. Inapproprite eating patterns are superimposed on genetic factors (commonly diabetes in Asia) and on other lifestyle factors (smoking). Eventually the com bination of dyslipidemia ('high triglyceride-low high density lipoprot ein' in Asia/Pacific rim), plus smoking plus hypertension (part salt r elated) may trigger a CAD epidemic. The challenge is bette public heal th management including balancing the nature national food and nutriti on policies. Critical are the sources of fats (often key economic comm odities), the amount of salt, preventing obesity especially