Lutein Suppresses Inflammation in Patients with Heart Disease

Even with all of the recent advancements in medical science, heart disease remains the world's leading cause of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 600,000 Americans die each every from heart disease. However, researchers have recently identified a nutrient in bright-colored fruits and vegetables that may offer protection from heart disease.

For the study, researchers at Linköping University analyzed half a dozen common carotenoids in blood samples of 193 patients suffering from coronary heart disease. In case you're unfamiliar with carotenoids, let me explain: basically, these are bright, colorful pigments that give fruits and vegetables their color. Carotenoids are commonly found in spinach, squash, tomatoes and more. Other studies have shown that such vegetables and fruits can reduce inflammation in the body, so the research team wanted to further investigate these findings and how it affects the heart.

After collecting blood samples of patients with heart disease and measuring levels of carotenoids, researchers also measured levels of the inflammatory market interleukin-6, IL-6. So, what did they discover? Researchers found that participants with the highest levels of cartenoids in their blood also had the lowest levels of interleukin-6, leading them to believe that cartenoids, specifically lutein, could prove useful in reducing inflammation in people who suffer from heart disease.

When discussing these findings, one of the study's lead authors explained that chronic bodily inflammation is associated with a "poorer prognosis," and this is why it's important to consume foods that naturally fight and reduce inflammation.

"A considerable number of patients who have experienced myocardial infarction still have low-level chronic inflammation in the body, even after receiving effective treatment with revascularization, drugs and lifestyle changes. We know that chronic inflammation is associated with a poorer prognosis," explained study leader Lena Jonasson.

Of course, there are other steps you can take to reduce inflammation in the body and protect yourself from heart disease. Exercising, for instance, is arguably one of the best things you can do for your body and heart -- yet it's also something that most people don't get enough of. If you want to strengthen your heart and protect yourself from disease, you should perform a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio every day. You can still include some high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises, but cardio is the most effective type of exercise for strengthening your heart and protecting against disease.

This study was published in the journal Atherosclerosis.