The “Polymeal”: a natural strategy to reduce heart disease by more than 75%

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death and disability in Western populations with much research undertaken to identify the risks and the most effective means of prevention and treatment. The concept of a “Polypill” was introduced in 2003 which is a combination of six pharmacological components whose benefits could multiply to reduce cardiovascular disease by more than 80%. The concept has been welcomed in general but with concerns raised about the associated side effects and cost of the intervention.

An article published in the British Medical Journal in 2004 proposed a radical approach which involved developing a recipe of food ingredients that could be as effective in reducing heart disease but without any adverse side effects: a so-called "Polymeal". The researchers selected food elements based on a comprehensive review of randomised control trials, meta-analyses and observational studies that confirmed individual effects of each element in reducing heart disease. The combined effects of the ingredients of the Polymeal were multiplied in the same way as the Polypill. The result was that the Polymeal was found to potentially reduce the risk of heart disease by 76%.

So what are the magic ingredients of the Polymeal?:

• Red wine: 150ml / day
• Fish: 114g four times / week
• Dark chocolate: 100g / day
• Fruit and vegetables: 400g / day
• Garlic: 2.7g / day
• Almonds: 68g / day

The advantage of taking the Polymeal is that its ingredients can be taken combined in a meal or individually at different times through the day. It was not clear in the research whether increasing the amount of each ingredient would increase the effects of the Polymeal. However, reducing the quantities could be expected to reduce the effect.

The only side effects noted from the ingredients were that garlic could increase body odour and some reported flatulence or abdominal pain. Fish consumed in larger amounts than recommended has been related to raise blood mercury and the effects of excessive intake of alcohol are well documented. The Polymeal should not be considered to replace appropriate medical care but certainly gives room for its consideration as a natural, safer and tastier alternative to the Polypill and one that is easily adopted as a preventative measure for heart disease. Food for thought indeed!