Healthy food - healthy heart?

People affected by chronic heart disease in particular should often consume omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These have a protective effect on the blood vessels.

This is only partly true. In principle, polyunsaturated omega fatty acids are quite healthy. However, they differ in their effect on the body: omega-3 fatty acids are effective against inflammation, blood clots and cardiac arrhythmia, and they also lower blood pressure. The composition of fats in the blood and the health of the blood vessel walls can also be improved by a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, can both help against and promote inflammation. This is because the body can produce pro-inflammatory molecules from this fatty acid. Therefore, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet should not exceed 5:1. Fatty sea fish such as mackerel, salmon or herring contain the right ratio of fatty acids. Meat consumption, on the other hand, should be reduced as it mainly contains omega-6 fatty acids.

"Heart failure often occurs with overweight and obesity. If people are already affected by heart failure, being overweight is always unfavorable for the further development of the disease."

This is also only partially true. In principle, it is true that overweight and obesity are associated with a number of diseases, meaning that they occur much more frequently in these people. These include heart failure (cardiac insufficiency), diabetes mellitus (diabetes), high blood pressure (hypertension) and coronary heart disease. Most of these diseases also improve if those affected lose weight and exercise regularly. Surprisingly, however, people who already have the disease have a higher chance of survival if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 25-35.

The body mass index (BMI)

The BMI is a measure of body weight in relation to height. You can calculate your BMI yourself here. Between a BMI of 19 and 25, we speak of normal weight, overweight begins above this, and at a BMI of 30 and above, we speak of obesity.

Understanding the Obesity Paradox
You might have heard that being overweight or obese increases the risk of many health problems, like heart disease or diabetes. That’s true. But here’s something surprising: some studies have found that people who are overweight or mildly obese may actually live longer or recover better from certain serious illnesses than people who are thinner. This is called the “obesity paradox.”

Why might this happen?
Doctors and scientists are still trying to fully understand it, but here are a few possible reasons:

• Fat tissue isn’t just storage – It produces helpful substances, like hormones that make you feel full and chemicals that reduce inflammation, which might protect the body during illness.
• Extra energy reserves – People with more body fat may have more energy stored up, which can help them cope better during long illnesses or hospital stays.
• Cholesterol and proteins – Higher cholesterol levels in overweight people might mean more protective proteins in the blood that help fight off harmful substances.
• Weight loss from illness – People who are thinner might already be losing weight because of a serious illness, which can make their condition worse.

But there’s a catch
This doesn’t mean being overweight is healthy. People with a normal weight are less likely to get diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease in the first place. The obesity paradox only seems to apply after someone is already sick.

Also, some experts believe the paradox might be due to how studies are done. For example:

• Some people lose weight because they’re already sick, not the other way around.
• Body Mass Index (BMI), which is often used to define obesity, doesn’t always reflect how much fat or muscle someone has.

What does this mean for you?
The key takeaway is that maintaining a healthy lifestyle—with regular physical activity, balanced eating, and not smoking—is important for everyone, no matter your weight. If you’re living with a chronic illness, your doctor will consider many factors, not just your weight, when planning your care.