Is there a single meal that can help you live longer and avoid heart disease? Sounds too good to be true?
For the medical community, the year 2003 started out with the hypothetical polypill. This wonder pill combined a heart protective concoction of pharmacological components. The mixture consisted of aspirin, folic acid, cholesterol and blood pressure lowering drugs like statins. This could be taken by anyone over 55 years of age.
The polypill seemed like an ideal concept to combat heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Researchers believe that its magnitude should not be so large and are making efforts to contain it. Despite extensive research on causes of CVD and preventive measures, it is still one of the top diseases on the Global Burden disease list (1). As with many concepts in medicine, the theory of prevention is sound, but practise is sadly lacking. The ‘polypill’ was proposed to bridge this gap. What better than to combine 6 medications into a single tablet? It was calculated that this pill could reduce cardiac events by 88% and stroke by 80%. That isn’t all, it would also increase life span by 11 years on an average! (2)
However, coming back to reality, the polypill is only a concept. We do not expect it to show up in our pharmacies any time soon (due to potential costs and possible adverse effects). Despite this drawback, the polypill sparked new ideas about prevention of CVD through other means.
Fast forward to the year 2004. Dutch researchers from Erasmus University, Rotterdam in collaboration with Monash University, Melbourne did their own homework. They studied medical literature extensively for foods that were protective against CVD. Foods seemed like a safer and more socially acceptable way to reach out on a public health level. Their primary objective was, “identify a tastier and safer alternative to the Polypill: the Polymeal.” (3)
They narrowed down 7 foods that were beneficial to heart health. The foods were scored individually and in combination. A calculated estimate was done to measure the benefits of the diet for both men and women.
Poly meal.
So, what does this meal consist of? The foods included were- fish, wine, dark chocolate, fruits, vegetables, garlic and almonds. Their research proposed that, “men on the Polymeal would increase their life expectancy by 6.6 years and women by 4.8 years.” (3) They recommend that on a regular basis one takes the following:
Red wine- 150 ml daily,
Fatty fish- 114 g four times a week,
Dark chocolate- 100 g daily
Fruit and vegetables- 400 g daily
Fresh garlic- 2.7 g daily
Almonds- 68 g daily.
The ingredients of the Polymeal diet can be consumed together in one meal or individually at different times throughout the day. Using mathematical models, they determined how much the combined effects of the individual ingredients would reduce the risk of heart disease and prolong life. If someone aged over 50 consumed roughly the daily equivalent of the Polymeal, they could slash the odds of suffering from heart disease by 76 per cent. (3)
Have an aversion to any of the big 7 foods listed? You can still omit a few ingredients and reap the benefits (though it may not be as effective). Omitting wine, for instance, reduced the risk reduction of cardiovascular disease from 76 per cent to 65 per cent. Omitting fish reduced it to 73 per cent, chocolate or fruits and vegetables to 70 per cent, almonds to 73 per cent, and garlic to 68 per cent. Most of the suggested foods sound healthy. However, proceed with caution regarding alcohol. Garlic could also be uncomfortable due to its strong taste and distinct smell. The researchers realised this and on a lighter note added- “The Polymeal should not be combined with additional consumption of alcohol, in order to avoid intoxication and conflicts with friends, relatives, and authorities; furthermore, additional alcohol consumption could attenuate the effects of the Polymeal and negatively influence other health measures. Driving motor vehicles or performing activities that require high levels of attention shortly after the consumption of the Polymeal should be avoided. Moreover, considering the disturbing adverse effects of garlic, we do not recommend taking the Polymeal before a romantic rendezvous, unless the partner also complies with the Polymeal.” (3)
What about other ingredients that are beneficial for heart health? Is the study biased to only the 7 listed foods? Researchers also suggested that the following foods could be included- olive oil, soya oil, soya beans, tomatoes, oat bran, cereals, nuts, tea, and chickpeas (channa). They also say- “Finding happiness in a frugal, active lifestyle can spare us a future of pills and hypochondria.” (3)
To maximise the benefits of the meal, you have to combine the Polymeal with consistent exercise and not smoke. Also stay away from junk, sugary and fatty foods which affect heart health. Other researchers, have pointed out flaws in the amounts of proposed foods. For a person who is overweight and trying to prevent heart related issues, the recommendation of dark chocolate and almonds is too high. Almonds contain healthy fat, but are also nutritionally dense. 68 g packs a whopping 405 kcal per day! While dark chocolate does cause a reduction in blood pressure, it also may contain unhealthy fat leading to CVD. For those who don’t drink, adding red wine as a recommendation may not be ideal. Fatty fish taken in excess can contain high levels of mercury.
The Polymeal is still in its early stages and is a proposal. However, on an individual level, an active heart healthy lifestyle can be a reality. This lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes, abnormal lipid profiles and other causes of disability and death.
Now that's a real plan for prevention!
References
1. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/
2. Wald NJ, Law MR .A strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease by more than 80%.BMJ2003; 326:1419–23.
3. Franco Oscar H, Bonneux Luc, de Laet Chris, Peeters Anna, Steyerberg Ewout W, Mackenbach Johan P et al. The Polymeal: a more natural, safer, and probably tastier (than the Polypill) strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease by more than 75% BMJ 2004; 329 :1447
With inputs from:
1. http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2005/02/03/1293248.htm
2. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Food_for_thought_The_polymeal
3. http://www.newhope.com/what-stock/polymeal-satire-or-serious-science
4. http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20041216/polymeal-recipe-for-healthy-heart
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymeal
6. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/dec/17/medicineandhealth.sciencenews