Saturated fat is the bad boy once again according to a paper recently published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (1). The authors of the paper, led by Li Yanping from the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, conclude that unsaturated fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) … Read more
The conversation between Don Draper and Sam, the waiter, in the first episode of the television series Mad Men is not only amusing but also has a deep message. – Why do you smoke Old Gold, Draper asks. – They gave ’em to us in the service… a carton a week for free. – So you’re … Read more
Although regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids is believed to have several health benefits, some questions remain unanswered. Do we all need more omega-3 or just some of us? Is eating fish sufficient or do we need to take supplements? Is there a way to tell if the cells in our body are getting enough omega-3 or if we … Read more
A few days ago the results of a potentially game-changing trial on the treatment of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial) were presented at an international diabetes conference in Stockholm, Sweden and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (1). For the first time, a study has found that a drug that … Read more
The diverging trends in heart disease and diabetes represent a public health paradox of immense importance. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are well-known risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, whereas the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is increasing, the death rate from coronary heart disease is declining. This interesting paradox was recently addressed in two … Read more