The Role of Nutrition on CV Health - Part I

A collection of flashcards highlighting key vocabulary terms related to the role of nutrition on cardiovascular health.

Macronutrients

Nutritional components that constitute a significant part of energy supply from food, which include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat that is typically solid at room temperature and found in animal products and some vegetable oils, known to raise LDL cholesterol levels.

Trans Fat

Hydrogenated fats that are often found in processed foods and are known to increase LDL while decreasing HDL cholesterol.

Unsaturated Fat

Fats that are usually liquid at room temperature, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A type of polyunsaturated fat important for heart health, found in fatty fish and certain plant sources.

Dietary Cholesterol

Cholesterol found in food, primarily from animal sources, that can impact blood cholesterol levels.

Fiber

The indigestible part of plant food that aids in digestion and helps maintain bowel health.

Added Sugars

Sugars that are added to foods during processing or preparation, lacking nutritional value but contributing calories.

Sodium

An essential mineral commonly known as salt, important for fluid balance but concerning due to high average intake leading to hypertension.

Nutrient Dense

Foods that provide a high amount of nutrients relative to the number of calories they contain.