Increasing Fiber Intake Helps Heart Attack Survivors Live Longer

Including fiber in diet helps heart attack survivors live longer, a new study finds.

People with high levels of fiber intake have a 25 percent lower risk of dying early post heart attack than people with low levels of fiber consumption. Also, every ten gram increase in fiber intake is associated with a 15 percent lower risk of early death.

The research, conducted by Harvard School of Public Health scientists, shows that fiber isn't just good for the colon but also for the heart.

Dietary fiber adds no nutrition to diet, but adds bulk. Research has shown that a diet high in fiber makes people feel full for longer. According to Medline Plus, adults need to eat 20 - 35 grams of fiber per day. The current fiber intake of an average American is around 10-15 grams.

Data for the study came from 121,700 female nurses in the Nurses' Health Study and 51,529 male health professionals enrolled in the Health Professional Follow-up Study. In both studies, participants had completed questionnaire about their diets and lifestyle, according to a news release.

Researchers found that 2,258 women and 1,840 men had experienced a first myocardial infarction (MI) or a heart attack. The team followed this group for nine years. During the study period, 1133 participants died including 682 women.

Data analysis showed that people with high levels of fiber intake had better chances of living longer than those who did not.

Researchers also found that fiber obtained from cereal was strongly associated with lower early death risk than fiber from fruits or vegetables.

The study team accounted for other factors that might have skewed the results such as age, medical history and lifestyle. They found that dietary fiber was independently linked with greater chances of survival post heart attack.

According to the researchers, encouraging heart attack patients to adopt certain lifestyle changes might lead to better health outcome.

"Future research on lifestyle changes post-MI should focus on a combination of lifestyle changes and how they may further reduce mortality rates beyond what is achievable by medical management alone," researchers wrote.

The study is published in the journal BMJ.

Research has shown that increasing fiber intake could lowers blood pressure and reduces cholesterol levels. Foods rich in dietary fiber are grains such as oats and brown rice; fruits such as apples, peaches tangerines and figs; vegetables such as lettuce and broccoli.

Note that fiber causes gas and bloating. So, increase fiber intake gradually over a period of few weeks. Also, some types of fiber can cause problems in people with certain medical condition. Talk to your doctor before making any abrupt changes in diet.