Skipping Breakfast Linked To Hardened Arteries

Eating a balanced breakfast is beneficial to the heart.

While previous studies have shown avoiding breakfast may lead to childhood obesity.

This new paper is the first to draw a parallel between breakfast and atherosclerosis.

That’s the technical term for the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a build-up of plaque.

“People who skip breakfast likely have an overall unhealthy lifestyle,” said author Valentin Fuster, MD.

“This study provides evidence that this is one bad habit people can change to reduce their risk for heart disease.”

The Research

Researchers studied male and female participants free from cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease.

They found atherosclerosis was more frequent in two groups:

1. Those who skipped breakfast
2. Those who ate low-energy breakfasts

Low energy refers to those who consumed between 5 and 20 percent of their daily energy intake at breakfast: i.e. small meals.

They also found that those who did not eat breakfast had the greatest:

• Waist circumference
• Body mass index
• Blood pressure
• Blood lipids
• Fasting glucose levels

In addition, they were more likely to have an unhealthy lifestyle, including alcohol consumption, smoking, hypertensive, overweight or obese.

“Aside from the association with cardiovascular risk factors, skipping breakfast may serve as a marker for an unhealthy diet.

This is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis,” said Jose L. Peñalvo, PhD.

David L. Edwards is an author, Chinese medicine physician and acupuncturist. He is the author of The Body Fat Formula and The Pocketbook guide to Chinese medicine. David is the director of Barefoot Health and Wellness health programs.

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