Previous research has stated that obesity in itself is not dangerous to arteries, however a recent study found that this is not the case.
In a study of 310 middle-aged Italian women, obesity was directly related to thickening of the carotid arteries -- large arteries in the neck that transport blood to the brain -- even when other risk factors were accounted for.
Thickening of the carotid wall is a sign of more widespread artery disease and can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Researchers measured obesity in terms of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio, which measures abdominal obesity. According to BMI, obese women had the greatest thickening of the carotid arteries, followed by overweight women. Lean women had the least amount of thickening. Using waist-to-hip measurements, women with the highest waist-to-hip ratios had the thickest carotid arteries.
Obesity was directly related to artery thickness even after other risk factors for artery disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are often seen with obesity were accounted for.
Although only women were used in the study, researchers believe that results would be similar in men.
Stroke 2002;10.1161/01.STR.0000038989.90931.BE
Obesity appears to have its own negative effects on blood vessels. This is no major surprise, and it provides even further reason to follow the nutrition plan.
With over two-thirds of the U.S. population either obese or overweight, this is a significant issue.
Look for my report on the Atkins program in next week’s newsletter, and please review it as I provide my views on how to optimize your likelihood of achieving your optimal body weight.