title: New insights on the risk for cardiovascular disease in African Americans: the role of added sugars.
abstract: African Americans are at increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including obesity, high BP, diabetes, CKD, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Here we summarize the current risks and provide an overview of the underlying risk factors that may account for these associations. By reviewing the relationship between cardiovascular and renal diseases and the African-American population during the early 20th century, the historic and recent associations of African heritage with cardiovascular disease, and modern population genetics, it is possible to assemble strong hypotheses for the primary underlying mechanisms driving the increased frequency of disease in African Americans. Our studies suggest that underlying genetic mechanisms may be responsible for the increased frequency of high BP and kidney disease in African Americans, with particular emphasis on the role of APOL1 polymorphisms in causing kidney disease. In contrast, the Western diet, particularly the relatively high intake of fructose-containing sugars and sweetened beverages, appears to be the dominant force driving the increased risk of diabetes, obesity, and downstream complications. Given that intake of added sugars is a remediable risk factor, we recommend clinical trials to examine the reduction of sweetened beverages as a primary means for reducing cardiovascular risk in African Americans.
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado;
authors.forename: Karim R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Saab
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado;
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kendrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, School of Pharmacy, Seattle, Washington;
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yracheta
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado; Colorado Research Partners LLC, Aurora, Colorado; and.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lanaspa
authors.affiliation: Fields Foundation, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Maisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado; Colorado Research Partners LLC, Aurora, Colorado; and Richard.johnson@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D000075944:Apolipoprotein L1; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000235:genetics; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: C108666:APOL1 protein, human; D000075944:Apolipoprotein L1; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL
keywords: Ethnic minority; chronic kidney disease; hypertension
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