November 4, 2003
NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
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Today's Topic: Don't Have a Stroke

Many studies have linked fat intake with development of cardiovascular
disease, including stroke.  A new study of almost 44,000 men in the
U.S. reports no connection between amount or type of fat with either
ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.  During 14 years of observation, there
were 725 strokes, most being ischemic and 145 of unknown type.

Not only were the nutrients not related to stroke, the food groups we
love to hate - red meat, high fat dairy, and eggs - were not related
to stroke in this population.  The male health professionals studied
are a health conscious group with low rates of smoking, high rates of
treated hypertension, little obesity, and other factors that reduce
their risk of stroke.  The study was published in the October 4, 2003
edition of the British Medical Journal.
< http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/327/7418/777 >

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: It is certainly possible
the conclusion of this study is correct.  But several other studies
have reported that high saturated fat was linked to ischemic stroke
and low total fat was related to hemorrhagic stroke.  It is possible
that there were not enough cases of stroke to find a relationship but,
then, fat should not be considered a strong risk factor.  It may be
that these findings cannot be generalized to the entire population
from this particular group of men.  It is typical of these studies to
raise more questions than they answer.