Protein, fat, and ischemic heart disease

Swedish Meats R & D, PO Box 504, S-244 24 Kavlinge, Sweden, E-mail: olle.holmqvist{at}smrd.com

Dear Sir:

Hu et al (1) write that "a high dietary protein intake is often accompanied by increases in saturated fat and cholesterol intakes." The statement has an interesting logic. Either it is correct, and their finding that a high protein intake correlates with reduced risk of ischemic heart disease contradicts the connection of dietary saturated fat to this disease, or it is not correct. This puzzle has a simple solution: the connection between dietary saturated fat and ischemic heart disease does not exist (2).

REFERENCES

1. Hu FB, Stampfer MJ, Manson JE, et al. Dietary protein and risk of ischemic heart disease in women. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:221–7.
2. Ravnskov U. The questionable role of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in cardiovascular disease. J Clin Epidemiol 1998;51:443–60.