Eat Your Eggs! New Brigham study: cholesterol not main cause of heart disease

Heart attack on a plate? Maybe not anymore?

The great foodie website The Slow Cook features a story today, about a new study from the Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston. The research conducted in 26 countries finds that cholesterol is less significant than previously thought in dietary risk factors for heart disease. Findings were presented at an American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans yesterday. The Slow Cook culled their story from the Washington Post

Cholesterol not the bad guy?

The study is significant because its findings suggest that inflammation, and not high cholesterol levels, may be the cause behind much of the developed world's increased incidence of heart disease. A $20 blood test can indicate whether such inflammation is present, and statin drugs can help prevent progression of heart disease in patients. New brand name statin drugs are being developed seemingly daily, but less expensive generic versions are available, the article says.

Paradigm shift?

The Post article refers to this discovery as a complete "paradigm shift" where heart disease diagnosis and treatment is concerned. But The Slow Cook article states that writers Nina Planck and Nancy Fallon have previously suggested that inflammation, caused by diets high in Omega-6 fatty acids found in processed oils from corn and soy, among other plants, has been the primary cause of higher rates of heart disease This certainly makes sense, given the large amounts of these foods in our diets in recent years, concomitant with higher rates of heart disease. 

So the nutritional advice that's been common wisdom for years now still applies, with one caveat: instead of worrying so much about saturated animal fats and cholesterol-laden foods like eggs, we should be watching our intake of processed corn products and soybean oils (found in many packaged foods).

What to eat to prevent heart disease?

Make sure you eat foods rich in Omega-3 EFAs, such as olive oil, oily fish (salmon, mackerel), seeds and nuts (especially raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds), and avocados. Don't eat processed foods in excess, and read labels when you do so you can avoid corn and soybean oils when possible. The bulk of your diet should consist of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean meats and fish, as well as low-fat dairy products in moderation (like skim milk, yogurt and cottage cheese). Also, take a cue from the French, who are thin and fit and have low rates of heart disease: enjoy your cheese and butter (in moderation) and with a glass of red wine every day.