Holistic Medicine and Holistic Nursing

Biography

Biography: Bernadette Nneji

Abstract

Proper nutrition is the basis for optimum health and wellbeing. Holistic nutrition is the modern natural approach to developing a healthy balance diet while taking consideration the person as a whole. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) are a group of condition that affect the heart and blood vessel (WHO 2013), and include cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). One mechanism thought to cause CVD is atherosclerosis, here; arteries become blocked by plaques or atheromas (NHS 2012). This blockage restricts blood flow and limits the amount of blood and oxygen reaching organs or tissues (BHF 2013). CVDs are the leading causes of death worldwide (WHO 2013), and in 2008, an estimated 30% of all global deaths were due to CVD(WHO 2013). In 2001, three-quarter of global deaths from CHD occurred in low and middle-income countries (Gaziano 2010). Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid n-6(LA) and liolenic acid (ALA) n- 3 obtained from diet are precussors of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) respectively . It has been demonstrated that consumption of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs decreases blood triglycerides by increasing fatty acid oxidation by activating PPAR alpha or by reducing the activation of SRBP-1 inhibiting lipogenesis. Main sources of PUFAs n-6 are corn, soy and safflower oil and for PUFAs n-3 are fish, soy, canola oil and flaxseed. A randomized clinical trial (RCT) carried out in National Hospital Abuja where patients with coronary heart disease were enrolled and omega-3(n-3) and omega -6 (n-6) fatty acid supplements administered showed significant reduction in cardiovascular events (heart attacks, nonfatal strokes, nonfatal heart attacks and death.) Finally, FAO/WHO recommends an optimal daily intake of n-6 /n-3 of 5-10: 1.