Studies show that a diet rich in protein, zinc and niacin, and low in saturated fat leads to better blood vessels

A new study presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Maastricht, The Netherlands (May 4-7) links key nutrients including protein, zinc and niacin to improved heart health up

The improvements in metabolic and cardiovascular health seen in obese people during weight loss have traditionally been attributed to weight loss itself or accompanying changes in glucose, blood pressure, or lipids

Besides protein, carbohydrates and fats, whether diet structure itself is involved has not been extensively studied

Researchers from the Sago Center for Metabolic Syndrome, the Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, the Tel Aviv-Sulaski Medical Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel were interested in whether other nutrients were also important

A total of 72 participants (55.

This includes a personalized diet and exercise plan, and regular meetings with doctors and dietitians

The subjects, who had a BMI of 34.

Arterial wall stiffness is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, so vascular flexibility is used as a proxy for cardiovascular health

Three different vascular elasticity measures were used: pulse wave velocity (PWV), common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD)

One year later, body mass index had decreased by 9.

Improvements in PWV were associated with decreased calorie and saturated fat intake and increased zinc intake

Zinc plays a key role in the synthesis of nitric oxide in blood vessels

Improvements in IMT were associated with decreased calorie and saturated fat intake and increased protein intake

Improvement in HFMD was associated with increased intake of niacin (vitamin B3)

Dr Brurya Tal, lead researcher at Tel Aviv-Surasky Medical Center, said: "We found that the intake of specific food components was associated with better blood vessel structure and function

"The Mediterranean diet is rich in protein (lean dairy products, fish, poultry, and eggs), rich in vegetables, nuts, seeds, and moderately consumed in fruits and grains, which help to improve vascular flexibility and thus indirectly protect the cardiovascular system
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"Zinc-rich foods on the diet plan are sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and meat
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Meat and fish provide niacin
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