Something as easy as adding more fruits and vegetables to the diet may be enough to keep you from suffering inhibited blood circulation in your legs, the American Heart Association (AHA) said.
Based on nearly 4 million subjects, the AHA study was published in the May issue of the association’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology publication. The findings showed eating three or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables cut the risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD) nearly 20 percent.
According to the National Institutes of Health, PAD affects 5 percent of U.S. adults over 50, reduces circulation and can interfere with mobility. It’s also linked to stroke and heart disease.
Study co-author Sean Heffron of the New York University School of Medicine said the study could alter treatment strategies.
“Our study gives further evidence for the importance of incorporating more fruits and vegetables in the diet,” Heffron said in the AHA release. “One-on-one dietary assessments and counseling for PAD patients, as well as greater public health awareness of the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption, are both needed.”
The study was based on data from 3.7 million U.S. adults averaging 64 years old. Almost two-thirds of the subjects were female, and 10 percent were minorities.
