Rationale of the diet-heart statement of the American Heart Association. Report of Nutrition Committee.

A FUNDAMENTAL GOAL of the American Heart Association (AHA) is to prevent cardiovascular disease and, in particular, to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and other atherosclerotic diseases in our society. A question of great concern to the AHA has been whether the American diet is a significant factor in the genesis of atherosclerosis. This question has been the subject of continuous dialogue within the Association for at least 25 years. Although many and frequently diverse opinions have been voiced within the several committees of the AHA, a concerted effort has been made to integrate the best available evidence on the subject. It is clear that the "diet-heart question" is complex, and new information is emerging continually. Still, a broad base of knowledge has been accrued, and because of the urgency engendered by the high incidence of CHD in the U.S., the AHA has felt a responsibility to provide the best possible guidance to the medical community and the American public on the diet question. For this reason the policy of the AHA has been to frequently update recommendations on the basis of the best currently available evidence. The rationale and documentation for particular recommendations of the AHA are discussed below.