This abstract includes the interesting conclusion that only 25% of coronary
heart disease is explained by the known risk factors, and may be of interest
to those following the cholesterol line. I would have thought that even more
heart disease was explained by other risk factors, but there ya go.
Ben Balzer


The French paradox unmasked: the role of folate.
Author
Parodi PW
Source
Med Hypotheses, 49(4):313-8 1997 Oct
Abstract
The French paradox relates to the paradoxical association of a diet high in
saturated fat and cholesterol with low coronary heart disease mortality and
is contrary to the 'lipid hypothesis'. France and other regions with low
heart disease mortality have a high consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Epidemiologic studies show fruit and vegetable consumption is inversely
related to coronary heart disease mortality, but recent intervention studies
do not support the theory that protection is due to antioxidant vitamins.
Fruit and vegetables, however, are rich sources of folate. Folate lowers
plasma homocysteine levels. Even mild to moderate elevation in plasma
homocysteine level is a strong risk factor for arteriosclerosis of the
coronary, cerebral, and peripheral arteries. This should explain not only
the French paradox but also why known risk factors may explain as little as
25% of the risk for coronary heart disease.