The ARIC study is very interesting. This was a prospective study of nearly 9,500 middle-aged adults. About 40% of the subjects developed MetS. There was about a 15% higher incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in those eating a "Western diet" pattern (increased red and processed meats, fried food, soda, and refined grain products with low intakes of vegetables, fruits,whole grains, and fish. Eating 1-2 servings of meat per day was associated with a 20-25% higher risk of Metabolic syndrome compared with 1/4th serving per day. Eating fried foods each day was also associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome; the highest quartile of fried food intake was associated with 25% greater risk. Participants who drank 1 serving of diet soda a day had 34% increased risk of the MetS compared with those who did not drink diet sodas. A recent study from Framingham showed that there was a 56% increased risk for MetS among those consuming >1 diet soda a day. Dairy consumption afforded some protection. Persons in the highest quartile of dairy consumption had a 13% lower risk. --Roger S. Blumenthal, MD
Posted on 2008-02-24 12:12:22.577
