A new study coming from the University of Alabama’s scientists has revealed new hope in the battle against heart disease. The findings suggest that new all natural potassium supplement can highly reduce the chances of heart disease and pave the way for new supplemental treatments that will prevent fat build up in the arteries, or vascular calcification.
UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS TEST RUN ON MICE, BUT OPTIMISM STILL PERSISTS
Scientists carried out several research tests on mice in an attempt to locate the link between potassium rich foods that included bananas, salmon, apricots, and sweet potato, and heart disease protection. They served mice various amounts of source potassium (from the above list) in their diet, and analyzed their arteries for fatty build-ups. Mice were either given 0.3, 0.7 or 2.1% of their weight in supplementation. The mice that were given a low potassium diet had more fatty deposits in their arteries, known as vascular calcification.
POTASSIUM RICH DIET CAUSES LESS VASCULAR CALCIFICATION
Meanwhile, those with the supplemented diet showed far less vascular calcification, the research showed. Co-author of the study, Paul Sanders, said: “The findings have important translational potential since they demonstrate the benefit of adequate supplementation on prevention of vascular calcification in atherosclerosis-prone mice, and the adverse effect of low intake.” If the findings are mirrored in humans, those at risk of heart disease could be prescribed supplements to reduce vascular calcification. That would help to ease blood flow around the body, and help deliver oxygen to vital organs.
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REDUCED POTASSIUM INTAKE CAN LEAD CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Yawing Chen, a research worker on the study, said: “Vascular calcification is a risk factor that predicts adverse cardiovascular complications of several diseases including atherosclerosis. “Reduced dietary potassium intake has been linked to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and incidental stroke, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown.”
KNOW THE DOSES AND LIMITS
Having too much could cause a stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea and kidney disease, so be careful and know your limits. Those most at risk from a potassium heavy diet are older people, as their kidneys may be less efficient at reducing it from blood. Adults should get 3,500mg of potassium a day, the NHS said. Foods high in the substance include avocados, bananas, spinach, salmon and sweet potato