Starchy carbs: Bigger threat to heart than fats

The more starchy-carbohydrate foods you consume -- bread, rice, pasta, pastries, etc. -- the higher your levels of insulin.

Excess insulin increases the chances of heart disease, according to a study by Dr. Diana Holdright, consultant cardiologist at the Heart Hospital in London. Insulin contributes to the inflammatory process, which leads to hardening of the arteries. High levels of insulin boost stress hormones; these in turn raise blood pressure.

It’s not just the insulin. Excess “bad” carbs also turn to tryglicerides in your liver, which in turn give you more tryglicerides in the bloodstream, which turns to bad cholesterol.

This is what I recommend:

Cut back on producers of bad carbohydrates such as bread, rice, pasta, cakes, pastries, candy and soft drinks. In my opinion the only time we really need the energy from those foods is when we’re about to undertake difficult physical activity, such as hard labor or intense workouts.

If you eat these high-starch foods and don’t burn off their energy they can lead to heart disease, as the study warns. And, of course, the starch will store as fat, especially around your midsection.

Remember fruits and vegetables also produce carbohydrates -- but of course they are not on the “bad” list. Enjoy them anytime.