Eat Like A Woman to Improve Heart Health

Heart disease kills more than 50,000 more women than men each year – and strikes women, on average, 10 years later than men, according to the Society for Women’s Health Research. Although women have symptoms different from men, several of the major risk factors for heart disease are often the same: poor diet, being overweight, high cholesterol and a sedentary lifestyle.

Marjorie Jenkins, M.D., professor and associate dean for women in health and science at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), and chief scientific officer for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health (LWBIWH), said knowing the difference between how men and women metabolize food not only can help women lose weight, but may also help reduce their risk for heart disease.

“A healthy diet is critical to heart health,” Jenkins said. “Since heart disease is the no. 1 killer of women, a great first step a woman can take toward protecting her heart is to eat foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, which are low saturated fat, cholesterol and salt, and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. Diet isn't everything, but it's important.”

Jenkins suggests a rule of five:

Don't eat any processed food with more than five ingredients

Eat at least five small meals a day

Walk for five minutes at least five times a day (even at work)

Stop everything and rest your brain for five minutes to reenergize

A woman’s risk of heart disease increases during midlife, partly because her body stops producing estrogen, Jenkins said. Other ways a woman can lower her chances of cardiovascular disease include quitting smoking and staying aware of her blood pressure level.

Jenkins recently co-authored a book with women’s health advocate Staness Jonekos called “Eat Like a Woman (And Never Diet Again),” which contains scientifically sound advice on diet and nutrition designed specifically for the female body. She is also the head of the new Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation for Women (C.R.E.W.) Clinic at the Texas Tech Physicians Center for Cardiovascular Health in Lubbock. The C.R.E.W. clinic is focused on the unique needs of women and preventing heart attacks and stroke.

For more breaking news and experts, follow @ttuhscnews on Twitter.

Related Stories

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Recent Stories

Health

The Future of Health: Musculoskeletal Care for Expectant Mothers

Dr. Deborah Y. Edwards, PT, DPT, ScD, OCS, discusses musculoskeletal care during pregnancy.

Research

Logsdon Receives Grant to Study Vascular Side of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Supported by a three-year, $578,211 grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Institute on Aging, Aric F. Logsdon, Ph.D., will study how brain endothelial cells, or blood vessels within the brain, handle the stressors of neuroinflammation.

Health

Historic collaboration brings shipping container-based health care clinic to Jeff Davis County

Texas A&M Health and TTUHSC joined with the student-led organization, Texas A&M BUILD—along with local leadership and other collaborators—to unveil a new, innovative medical care facility for a Trans-Pecos region rural community: a 40-foot, retro-fitted shipping container.