Did you know that women who eat a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains but low in saturated fats and sugar have a lower risk of premature death or death from cardiovascular disease?  Research from the Nurse's Health Study confirms it.   A Western diet heavy on red and processed meats, french fries, sweets and refined grains was linked to a 22% higher risk of death from heart disease, a 21% higher risk of death from all causes and a 16% higher risk of death from cancer.  I don't know about you but none of that sounds like what I have in mind for my future.

Christin Heidemann conducted her research while in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.  Heidemann and her team analyzed of the eating habits of more than 72,000 women who had participated in the Nurse's Health Study between 1984 and 2002.

All the women were between the ages of 30 and 55, and most were white. Prior to participation, none had any history of heart attack, angina, coronary-artery surgery, diabetes or cancer.

Older women, those who exercised more, and those taking multivitamins and/or hormone replacement therapy were more likely to consume a healthy diet. By contrast, less active younger women who were more likely to smoke and less likely to take supplements were found more likely to have consumed a Western diet.

This study will be published in the health professional journal, Circulation, in July.  This is a study worth noting.  The good news is that we know much more about women's heart disease than we did even five years ago.  The bad news is few women know that heart disease isn't a "man's disease".  For ideas on how to limit sugar in your diet, increase fruits and vegetables and eat sensibly, see the Low Carb Examiner.  You may not be in to limiting carbs, but there is a lot of good advice there and some really good recipes as well.   Basically anything you do such as quitting smoking, limiting red meat, eliminating fried food and reducing saturated fat overall will go a long way to improving your odds.  And the best part is that it's not that hard.