The end of the diet debates? All fats and carbs are not created equal.

The key to healthy eating is choosing "good fats"--foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats, and "good carbohydrates"--foods high in fiber and having a low glycemic index. The healthiest diet is the Mediterranean type, consisting of lean meats, fish, nuts, vegetables, whole fruits, and whole grains.

Hypertension: trends, risks, drug therapies and clinical challenges in African Americans.

In the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading killer accounting for about 1 million fatalities annually, with hypertension being a major risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular (CV) death, heart failure, and end-stage renal disease--all of which have higher prevalence in African Americans, who also experience greater severity at clinical presentation. In numerous randomized trials and meta-analyses, drug therapy for hypertension has been shown to reduce blood pressure by 4-6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) with resultant decreases in stroke of 35%-40%, CHD of 20%-25%, and CV death of about 25%. Cardiovascular drug therapies of proven benefit, including diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE inhibitors), and beta-blockers, are safe and effective, alone and in combination.

The national cholesterol education program diet vs a diet lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and monounsaturated fat: a randomized trial.

Background: In the United States, obesity is a major clinical and public health problem causing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, as well as increasing cardiovascular and total mortality. Dietary restrictions of calories and saturated fat are beneficial. However, it remains unclear whether replacement of saturated fat with carbohydrates (as in the US National Cholesterol Education Program [NCEP] diet) or protein and monounsaturated fat (as in our isocaloric modified low-carbohydrate [MLC] diet, which is lower in total carbohydrates but higher in protein, monounsaturated fat, and complex carbohydrates) is optimal.

Randomized trials of vitamin E in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Observational epidemiological studies consistently show that individuals who choose to take high amounts of vitamin E through diet or supplements experience cardiovascular benefits, for which basic research provides plausible mechanisms. However, because the size of the postulated benefit is small to moderate, the confounding inherent in observational studies is as great as the effect size. Before the availability of randomized evidence, about 1 in 4 adults was taking vitamin E supplements in the United States.