Understanding How Excessive Sulfur Amino Acids Intake Might Escalate Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Risk

Key Takeaways:

• High intake of food rich in sulfur amino acids, commonly found in beef, chicken, and dairy, can potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, according to preliminary research.
• Typically, the common American diet contains nearly two and a half times the suggested amount of sulfur amino acids. This high consumption may contribute to lower cardiovascular disease rates found in individuals following plant-based diets.
• The research analysis, involving data from 120,699 participants from two large national studies, showed that those who consumed the most sulfur amino acids had a 12% annual increase in their risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 28% higher risk of dying from the condition within the 32-year study timeline.
• Despite certain limitations, the results indicate that replacing high-sulfur amino acid sources, like red meat, with high-quality plant foods or fish could potentially lower coronary heart disease risk.
• The findings support the emerging field of metabolomics and highlight the necessity of adopting healthier eating behaviors and prioritizing fruits and vegetables in one’s diet.

A high intake of food rich in sulfur amino acids, predominantly present in proteins such as beef, chicken, and dairy, may escalate the possibility of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This is the finding of an unpublished preliminary research investigation.

Sulfur amino acids are integral for metabolism and overall wellness; however, the typical American diet consists of an amount significantly more than required – nearly two and a half times the average essential consumption.

Impact of Plant-based Diets on Cardiovascular Health

According to Laila Al-Shaar, an epidemiology assistant professor at Pennsylvania’s Penn State University College of Medicine, this excess may contribute to the lower cardiovascular disease rates observed in individuals who follow plant-based diets rather than consuming heavy quantities of meat and dairy products.

Unpacking the Research Study

The research, presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Health conference in Chicago, analyzed data from 120,699 individuals. These participants were part of two extensive national studies, one being the Nurses’ Health Study and the other Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Within these studies, detailed health and diet-related questionnaires were completed by the participants every two to four years.

On average, individuals were found to consume more than double the recommended daily quantity of sulfur amino acids, primarily from sources like beef, chicken, and milk. Following the adjustment for other cardiac risk factors, it was determined that those who consumed the most sulfur amino acids compared to the minimal intake group had a 12% annualized increase in cardiovascular disease development risk and a 28% higher risk of dying from the condition within the study’s 32-year timeline.

However, the applicability of the results to the general population may be limited due to the participant demography being majorly represented by non-Hispanic white men and women. Furthermore, their socioeconomic status as health professionals may not be reflective of the broader population. Therefore, Laila Al-Shaar emphasized that future studies should be inclusive of diverse populations with different dietary practices, particularly those who primarily consume plant-based proteins.

Previous Research and Dietary Suggestions

In the past, numerous animal studies have demonstrated that amino acid restriction, specifically methionine and cysteine, delayed ageing and enhanced longevity. Translating these advantages to human benefits remains challenging, however. A study in 2020 from the same research group found a link between elevated sulfur amino acid intake and increased cardiometabolic disease risk.

Substituting high-quality plant foods like legumes, nuts, or soy for red meat might reduce coronary heart disease risk in men, as suggested by more of Al-Shaar’s research, indicating that the average requirement of sulfur amino acids can be met through plant-based sources or fish.

In light of the findings linking red meat to worse health outcomes, adopting healthier protein sources for meeting the average sulfur amino acid requirement is recommended.

Future Research Implications

The study supports the growing body of research on metabolism and specific biomarkers, identified as “metabolomics,” a tool that supports precision medicine tailored to a specific patient.

Judith Wylie-Rosett, a professor of epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, notes that in terms of dietary patterns, there is still much room for improvement as the American dietary pattern deviates drastically from the standard recommendations.

The study brings attention to how adult eating behaviors in the U.S. need to prioritize a healthier diet that incorporates more fruits and vegetables. This move towards more precise nutrition is an exciting development in nutritional and metabolic studies paving the way for more in-depth research in the future.

By Anonymous Writer