The role of nutrition and body composition in peripheral arterial disease

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not been as extensively investigated as other cardiovascular diseases. However, the available data suggest that nutrition-based treatment strategies have the potential to reduce the cost-economic burden of PAD substantially. Abdominal obesity is associated with PAD and prospective and cross-sectional studies have shown that a low dietary intake of folate and reduced synthesis of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of PAD and severe walking impairment in patients who have the disease. However, dietary patterns that are associated with decreased cardiovascular risk might protect against PAD. A small number of clinical trials have provided evidence that increased intakes of niacin and insoluble fiber might be associated with decreased levels of LDL cholesterol and thrombogenic biomarkers, as well as increased serum levels of HDL cholesterol in patients with PAD. However, little evidence that antioxidants, vitamins B6 and B12, or essential fatty acid supplements improve clinical outcomes in these patients exists. Overall, data on the effects of nutrition, body composition, and nutritional supplementation on the risk, progression, and prognosis of PAD are scarce. Further research into these areas is required to allow the development of evidence-based nutritional guidelines for the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of canola oil on blood vessel function in peripheral arterial disease: rationale and design of the Canola-PAD Study

“…28,29 Dietary choices can also impact vascular function, as nutrient and dietary interventions have been shown to provide an acute means for improving arterial stiffness by targeting the functional mechanisms that regulate vascular tone. 30 This trial aims to provide valuable data on the effects of canola oil consumption on vascular function and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with PAD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized, controlled trial in PAD to use canola oil, which is low in SFAs, high in MUFAs, and the best source of omega-3 fatty acids among commonly consumed vegetable oils, as the primary source (up to onehalf) of fat in the diet.…”

Clinical correlates of red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid content in male veterans with peripheral arterial disease

“…2 In addition to traditional risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, a growing body of evidence indicates that inadequate nutrient intake and excessive caloric intake contribute to the development of PAD among other cardiovascular diseases. 3–6 Lower blood levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( n -3 PUFA), an essential nutrient, may be involved in the development of PAD. 7 …”

Lifestyle and Dietary Risk Factors for Peripheral Artery Disease

“…44 The metabolic syndrome has also been associated with both incident low ABI and clinical PAD, 45 as well as central and abdominal obesity. 46 Poor sleep quality has also been identified as a risk factor in a cross-sectional study of Chinese hypertensive patients. 23 Other novel risk factors or biomarkers are low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, 47 hyperhomocysteinemia, 48 , low levels of serum bilirubin, 49 , total adiponectin, 50 and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2.…”