A patient asks: I recently heard that the government advice against skipping breakfast has been called into question. Do I really need to eat breakfast?
The doctor answers: While breakfast for weight control may not be essential, it’s still important for a healthy heart. Just don’t go overboard.
Most of the focus on breakfast has been related to weight maintenance, and new research calls that article of faith into question. But your breakfast habits also have a big impact on heart health.
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An important study was done a couple of years ago and looked at the eating habits of nearly 27,000 men, primarily physicians. The Harvard Health Professionals Study looked at men ages 45 to 82. The assessment began in 1992, and the participants were followed for 16 years.
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Men who habitually skipped breakfast had a 27 percent higher risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death. Since many men in the study who skip breakfast also ate late at night, researchers also looked at this as a risk factor.
They found that compared to men who did not eat late at night, those who habitually ate late at night had a 55 percent higher risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death. No association was found between the number of times a participant ate during the day and cardiac risk.
I found this interesting and instructive because of other data that indicate a higher incidence of heart attack in the hours 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. compared to other times. Thus, if you are eating a heavy meal late at night, you are increasing the burden on your heart and circulation when you are at most risk.
My advice would be if you are eating out, go to the early-bird special and do not have anything after 9 p.m. A nice bowl of fruit for dessert will be largely digested by the time most of us are ready to put our heads on the pillow.
In the morning, get up early so you can have a leisurely heart-healthy breakfast.
Late-night snackers had a 55 percent higher risk of heart attack, research found.
But don’t go overboard. I said breakfast — not break-“feast.”
Sure, splurge on the waffles and bacon every once in a while, but know that it has consequences.
One University of Buffalo study found that big fatty breakfasts trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals associated with clogged arteries.
Subjects were tested after eating McDonald’s Egg McMuffin and Sausage McMuffin plus hash browns, which sent their levels of free radicals and C-reactive protein through the roof. The inflammatory factors were still high several hours after breakfast, when most people begin thinking about lunch.
Don’t let your petit dejeuner turn into a pig-out session. Steer clear of fried and baked goods, and reach for whole fruits, multigrain cereals, and such.
Unfortunately, more than one-quarter of adults skip breakfast, as do one-third of adolescents. Those who miss breakfast often feel tired, restless and irritable in the morning.
Breakfast may also jump-start your metabolism. Research shows breakfast-eaters burn an extra 200 to 300 calories a day. That gives them an advantage over non-breakfast eaters when it comes to obesity.
Higher metabolism isn’t the only benefit of a morning meal. Research shows that eating breakfast may boost brain power for better memory. So do your heart, mind, and waist a favor — start the day the healthy way with breakfast.
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