scholarly journals A Six-Day, Lifestyle-Based Immersion Program Mitigates Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Induces Shifts in Gut Microbiota, Specifically Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii: A Pilot Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3459
Author(s):  
Angelica P. Ahrens ◽  
Tyler Culpepper ◽  
Brittany Saldivar ◽  
Stephen Anton ◽  
Scott Stoll ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence remains elevated globally. We have previously shown that a one-week lifestyle “immersion program” leads to clinical improvements and sustained improvements in quality of life in moderate to high atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk individuals. In a subsequent year of this similarly modeled immersion program, we again collected markers of cardiovascular health and, additionally, evaluated intestinal microbiome composition. ASCVD risk volunteers (n = 73) completed the one-week “immersion program” involving nutrition (100% plant-based foods), stress management education, and exercise. Anthropometric measurements and CVD risk factors were compared at baseline and post intervention. A subgroup (n = 22) provided stool, which we analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing. We assessed abundance changes within-person, correlated the abundance shifts with clinical changes, and inferred functional pathways using PICRUSt. Reductions in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, were observed without reduction in weight. Significant increases in butyrate producers were detected, including Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospirales. Within-person, significant shifts in relative abundance (RA) occurred, e.g., increased Lachnospiraceae (+58.8% RA, p = 0.0002), Ruminococcaceae (+82.1%, p = 0.0003), Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (+54.5%, p = 0.002), and diversification and richness. Microbiota changes significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glucose, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) changes. Pairwise decreases were inferred in microbial genes corresponding to cancer, metabolic disease, and amino acid metabolism. This brief lifestyle-based intervention improved lipids and BP and enhanced known butyrate producers, without significant weight loss. These results demonstrate a promising non-pharmacological preventative strategy for improving cardiovascular health.

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1013-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Tehrani ◽  
Wenjun Fan ◽  
Vijay Nambi ◽  
Julius Gardin ◽  
Calvin H Hirsch ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundHigh-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) is individually associated with incident hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. We hypothesize that the increases in hs-cTnT with increases in blood pressure will be related to higher incidence of CVD.METHODSThe Cardiovascular Health Study is a longitudinal cohort of older adults. Those with hs-cTnT data and CVD risk factors at baseline and follow-up (2–3 years later) were stratified based on systolic blood pressure (SBP; optimal: <120 mm Hg, intermediate: 120–139 mm Hg, elevated: ≥140 mm Hg) and hs-cTnT (undetectable: <5 ng/l, detectable: 5–13 ng/l, elevated: ≥14 ng/l) categories. SBP and hs-cTnT were classified as increased or decreased if they changed categories between exams, and stable if they did not. Cox regression evaluated incident CVD events over an average 9-year follow-up.RESULTSAmong 2,219 adults, 510 (23.0 %) had decreased hs-cTnT, 1,279 (57.6 %) had stable hs-cTnT, and 430 (19.4 %) had increased hs-cTnT. Those with increased hs-cTnT had a higher CVD risk with stable SBP (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.28 [1.04–1.57], P = 0.02) or decreased SBP (HR: 1.57 [1.08–2.28], P = 0.02) compared to those within the same SBP group but a stable hs-cTnT. In those with lower SBP at follow-up, there was an inverse relation between diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and risk of CVD events in those with increased hs-cTnT (HR: 0.44 per 10 mm Hg increase, P < 0.01).CONCLUSIONAn increase in hs-cTnT over time is associated with a higher risk of CVD even when the blood pressure is stable or decreases over time.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanjala S Purnell ◽  
Ina Glenn-Smith ◽  
Sunjae Bae ◽  
Grecia Vargas ◽  
Anika L Hines ◽  
...  

Background: African Americans (AAs) and adults living in urban communities continue to experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, obesity) despite decades of recognition of these disparities. Methods: The Health Freedom Path to Wellness Program is an innovative community-based educational and behavioral intervention to reduce disparities in CVD risk factors. The goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of the Circle of Friends (COF) educational and social support component of the Health Freedom intervention. The Health Freedom-COF incorporated six weekly one-hour long sessions led by lay health workers trained in CVD health education based on the AHA’s Simple 7 guidelines, blood pressure (BP) measurement, physical activity, and behavior change strategies, and culminated in a 5K celebration walk that gives participants an opportunity to learn about Maryland’s important role in the Underground Railroad. Results: Study participants included 353 adults in Maryland (93% AAs, mean age: 53 years; 85% female; and 35% with annual incomes <$50,000). At baseline, mean BP(SD) was 127.4 (17.6)/77.1 (10.8) mmHg; mean weight in pounds (SD) was 191.6 (45.2); 43.1% had diagnosed hypertension, and 15.0% had diabetes. Compared with their pre-intervention assessments, adults who completed the intervention experienced an average reduction of -5.2 mm Hg systolic blood pressure (95% CI: 4.1-6.3, p<0.001) and -3.3 mm Hg diastolic BP (95% CI: 2.5-4.1, p<0.001). At baseline, only 3.3% of participants reported a weekly consumption of 5+ fruit servings; 5.9% reported 5+ vegetable servings, and 12.8% reported 5+ days of physical activity. However, after completing the program, 22.4% of participants reported a weekly consumption of 5+ fruit servings; 28.6% reported 5+ vegetable servings, and 46.7% reported 5+ days of physical activity. Conclusions: The Health Freedom educational and behavioral intervention was associated with improvements in blood pressure, diet, and physical activity among socially at-risk adults.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Azadbakht ◽  
Vajihe Izadi ◽  
Pamela J. Surkan ◽  
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh

Studies regarding the effects of high protein (HP) diets on cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors have reported contradictory results. We aimed to determine the effects of an HP diet on CVD risk factors and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among overweight and obese women. In this randomized controlled trial, we recruited 60 overweight and obese women, aged 20–65, into an HP or energy-restricted control diet for three months (protein, carbohydrate, and fat: 25%, 45%, and 30% versus 15%, 55%, and 30%, resp.). Total protein was divided between animal and plant sources in a 1 : 1 ratio, and animal sources were distributed equally between meats and dairy products. Fasting blood samples, hs-CRP, lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were assessed using standard guidelines. Percent change was significantly different between the two diet groups for weight (standard protein (SP): −3.90 ± 0.26 versus HP: −6.10 ± 0.34%; , resp.) and waist circumference (SP: −3.03 ± 0.21 versus HP: −5.06 ± 0.28%; , resp.). Percent change of fasting blood glucose (FBG) substantially decreased in the control group compared to the HP group (−9.13 ± 0.67 versus −4.93 ± 1.4%;P= 0.01, resp.). Total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased both in the HP and in the control diet groups (P= 0.06,P= 0.07, andP= 0.09, resp.); however, the results were marginally significant. Serum levels of hs-CRP were reduced both in the control (−0.08 ± 0.11%,P= 0.06) and in the high protein groups (−0.04 ± 0.09%,P= 0.06). The energy-restricted HP diet resulted in more beneficial effects on weight loss and reduction of waist circumference. CVD risk factors may improve with HP diets among overweight and obese women. When using isoenergetic weight loss diets, total cholesterol, hs-CRP, and SBP were marginally significantly reduced, independent of dietary protein content. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01763528.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mollie R. Sprung ◽  
Lauren M.D. Faulkner ◽  
Michele K. Evans ◽  
Alan B. Zonderman ◽  
Shari R. Waldstein

Background: Neighborhood crime may be an important factor contributing to cardiovascular health disparities, and these relations may vary by race and sex. The present investigation evaluated (a) potential differential associations between neighborhood crime and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors within subgroups of African American (AA) and White men and women, and (b) potential mediation by negative affect. Design and Methods: Participants were 1,718 AAs and Whites (58% AA; 54% female; 59% above poverty; ages 30-64 years) living Baltimore, Maryland who completed the first wave of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study from 2004-2009. CVD risk factors included body mass index, total serum cholesterol, glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A negative affect composite was comprised of self-reported depression, anxiety, anger, vigilance, and perceived stress. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine associations between per capita overall and violent crime rates, negative affect, and CVD risk factors. Results: There were significant associations of greater overall crime rate with higher fasting glucose (b=.192, P<0.05), and greater violent crime rate with higher systolic (b=86.50, P<0.05) and diastolic (b=60.12, P<0.05) blood pressure in AA women, but not men. These associations were not explained by negative affect. In Whites, there were no significant associations of overall or violent crime rates with cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: AA women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of crime on cardiovascular risk. Preventative efforts aimed toward this group may help to deter the detrimental effects that living in a high crime area may have on one’s cardiovascular health.


Author(s):  
Tulani Washington-Plaskett ◽  
Muhammed Y. Idris ◽  
Mohamed Mubasher ◽  
Yi-An Ko ◽  
Shabatun Jamila Islam ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of adults in the U.S., with marked ethnic/racial disparities in prevalence, risk factors, associated health behaviors, and death rates. In this study, we recruited and randomized Blacks with poor cardiovascular health in the Atlanta Metro area to receive an intervention comparing two approaches to engagement with a behavioral intervention technology for CVD. Generalized Linear Mixed Models results from a 6-month intervention indicate that 53% of all participants experienced a statistical improvement in Life’s Simple 7 (LS7), 54% in BMI, 61% in blood glucose, and 53% in systolic blood pressure. Females demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in BMI and diastolic blood pressure and a reduction in self-reported physical activity. We found no significant differences in changes in LS7 or their constituent parts but found strong evidence that health coaches can help improve overall LS7 in participants living in at-risk neighborhoods. In terms of clinical significance, our result indicates that improvements in LS7 correspond to a 7% lifetime reduction of incident CVD. Our findings suggest that technology-enabled self-management can be effective for managing selected CVD risk factors among Blacks.


2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomer Shemesh ◽  
Kevin G Rowley ◽  
Alicia J Jenkins ◽  
James D Best ◽  
Kerin O'Dea

AbstractBackground: Stability of circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations has implications for its utility in assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine hsCRP reproducibility in an indigenous Australian cohort with a view to use hsCRP as a marker of future CVD in community-based risk-factor screenings.Methods: Seventy people living in a community on the northern coast of Australia participated in 2 risk-factor screenings over a median (interquartile range) follow-up time of 829 (814–1001) days. hsCRP was measured by high-sensitivity nephelometry.Results: Geometric mean hsCRP concentrations at baseline and follow-up were 4.5 and 5.1 mg/L, respectively (P = 0.220), and Pearson product-moment correlation was 0.775. The proportion of people at high CVD risk (hsCRP &gt;3.0 mg/L) at baseline was 67.1% and remained consistently high (68.6%) at follow-up. Linear regression analysis for follow-up hsCRP as a function of baseline hsCRP, sex, and differences in total and regional body fatness showed that baseline hsCRP was the single predictor in the model, accounting for 63.9% of the total variance in follow-up hsCRP (Pmodel &lt; 0.001). Prevalence agreement (95% CI) between baseline and follow-up for the hsCRP &gt;3.0 mg/L category was 84% (73%–92%) (PMcNemar = not significant), and κ coefficient was fair (0.64, compared with 0.31 for systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and 0.43 for total cholesterol ≥5.5 mmol/L).Conclusions: hsCRP concentrations remained consistently reproducible over time across a wide concentration range in an Aboriginal cohort. Correlations between concentrations over time were better than for other traditional CVD risk factors. hsCRP concentration has potential as a marker of future CVD risk.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C.Q Wu ◽  
X Li ◽  
J.P Lu ◽  
B.W Chen ◽  
Y.C Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In China, an abundance of cardiovascular risk factors has contributed to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which caused almost 4 million deaths per year. However, comprehensive evidence on the geographical profiles of cardiovascular disease risk in China is lacking, as findings in prior studies have been limited to relatively small sample sizes, had incomplete regional coverage, or focused on a narrow risk factor spectrum. Purpose To compare the population CVD risk among different regions across China, and to describe the geographical distributions of CVD risk factors and their clusters throughout the nation. Methods In a nationwide population-based screening project covering 252 counties of China, standardized measurements were conducted to collect information on 12 major CVD risk factors. Individuals of high CVD risk were identified as those with previous CVD, or with a predicted 10-year risk of CVD greater than 10% according to the WHO risk prediction charts. We applied factor analysis to generate “clusters” that characterized the clustering of these risk factors, then explored their relationship with the local ambient temperature and per capital GDP. Results Among 983476 participants included, 9.2% were of high CVD risk, with a range of 1.6% to 23.6% across counties. Among the seven regions in China, the rate was relatively high in the Northeast (11.8%) and North China (10.4%), while low in the South China (7.2%) and Northwest (7.8%). We identified 6 clusters underlying CVD risk factors, including Obesity factor, Blood pressure factor, Staple food factor, Non-staple food factor, Smoking and alcohol factor, and Metabolic and physical activity factor (Figure). We found high risk regions were facing different leading challenges, like obesity and blood pressure for the North China, while unhealthy non-staple food for the Northeast. The South China, as the region with the lowest CVD risk, still had the highest prevalence of unhealthy staple food. Lower annual average ambient temperature was associated with higher risk in Blood pressure factor, Obesity factor and Non-staple food factor, but lower risk in Staple food factor and Metabolic and physical activity factor (p&lt;0.001 for all), consistently between rural and urban. Higher per capital GDP was associated with lower risk in Non-staple food factor in urban and higher risk in Metabolic and physical activity factor in rural (p&lt;0.05 for both). The correlation between per capital GDP and Smoking and alcohol factor differed significantly between in rural and urban regions (p=0.042). Conclusions The geographical profile of CVD risk in China is complex - population risk levels varied substantially across regions, which were contributed by different risk factors. China needs geographically targeted intervention strategies considering environmental and socio-economic factors to control CVD risk and reduce the burden related to CVD. Geographical disparity of risk clusters Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The National Key Research and Development Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China; the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein Ivar Bekkelund

Abstract Background High and low levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are both associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risks especially in elderly, but the mechanisms are less known. This study investigated associations between ALT and CVD risk factors including effects of sex and age in a Caucasian population. Methods Cross-sectional data were analysed sex-stratified in 2555 men (mean age 60.4 years) and 2858 women (mean age 60.0 years) from the population study Tromsø 6. Associations were assessed by variance analysis and multivariable logistic regression of odds to have abnormal ALT. Risk factors included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip-ratio, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, glycated haemoglobin and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP). Results Abnormal elevated ALT was detected in 113 men (4.4%) and 188 women (6.6%). Most CVD risk factors associated positively with ALT in both sexes except systolic blood pressure and CRP (women only), while ALT was positively associated with age in men when adjusted for CVD risk factors, P < 0.001. BMI predicted ALT in men (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88–1.00, P = 0.047) and women (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.86–0.95, P < 0.001). A linear inversed association between age and ALT in men and a non-linear inversed U-trend in women with maximum level between 60 and 64 years were found. Conclusion This study confirms a positive relationship between ALT and CVD risk factors, particularly BMI. Age is not a major confounder in the ALT-CVD relationship, but separate sex-analyses is recommended in such studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (02) ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
Fabiola B. Sozzi ◽  
Marta Belmonte ◽  
Marco Schiavone ◽  
Ciro Canetta ◽  
Rakesh Gupta ◽  
...  

AbstractAlthough substantial progress has been made toward improving gender- and sex-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) management and outcomes, contemporary reports indicate a persistent knowledge gap with regard to optimal risk-stratification and management in female cardiac heart disease (CHD) patients. Prominent patient and system delays in diagnosing CHD are, in part, due to the limited awareness for the latent CVD risk in women, a lack of sex-specific thresholds within clinical guidelines, and subsequent limited performance of contemporary diagnostic approaches in women. Several traditional risk factors for CHD affect both women and men. But other factors can play a bigger role in the development of heart disease in women. In addition, little is known about the influence of socioenvironmental and contextual factors on gender-specific disease manifestation and outcomes. It is imperative that we understand the mechanisms that contribute to worsening risk factors profiles in young women to reduce future atherosclerotic CVD morbidity and mortality. This comprehensive review focuses on the novel aspects of cardiovascular health in women and sex differences as they relate to clinical practice and prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVD. Increased recognition of the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and their differential impact in women, as well as emerging nontraditional risk factors unique to or more common in women, contribute to new understanding mechanisms, leading to worsening outcome for women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110298
Author(s):  
Susan M. Devaraj ◽  
Bonny Rockette-Wagner ◽  
Rachel G. Miller ◽  
Vincent C. Arena ◽  
Jenna M. Napoleone ◽  
...  

Introduction The American Heart Association created “Life’s Simple Seven” metrics to estimate progress toward improving US cardiovascular health in a standardized manner. Given the widespread use of federally funded Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)-based lifestyle interventions such as the Group Lifestyle Balance (DPP-GLB), evaluation of change in health metrics within such a program is of national interest. This study examined change in cardiovascular health metric scores during the course of a yearlong DPP-GLB intervention. Methods Data were combined from 2 similar randomized trials offering a community based DPP-GLB lifestyle intervention to overweight/obese individuals with prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome. Pre/post lifestyle intervention participation changes in 5 of the 7 cardiovascular health metrics were examined at 6 and 12 months (BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, physical activity). Smoking was rare and diet was not measured. Results Among 305 participants with complete data (81.8% of 373 eligible adults), significant improvements were demonstrated in all 5 risk factors measured continuously at 6 and 12 months. There were significant positive shifts in the “ideal” and “total” metric scores at both time points. Also noted were beneficial shifts in the proportion of participants across categories for BMI, activity, and blood pressure. Conclusion AHA-metrics could have clinical utility in estimating an individual’s cardiovascular health status and in capturing improvement in cardiometabolic/behavioral risk factors resulting from participation in a community-based translation of the DPP lifestyle intervention.


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