Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

I agree with Professor Willett's response to the re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis.1 An adequate intake of N-3 and N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids is very important as deficiencies in essential fatty acid pathways are very common.

For some years my patients were tested using John McLaren-Howard's red cell essential fatty acid (EFA) profile. N-3 and N-6 pathway deficiencies were particularly likely in patients who also had zinc and B vitamin deficiencies which resulted in blocks in these pathways, The commonest abnormalities were too high levels of 18:0 stearic acid from animal fat and 16:0 palmitolic acids from palm oil but too low levels of 20:5, 22:5 and 22:6 N-3 EFAs especially in men, and, too low levels of 20:3, 20:4, 22:5 and 22:6N-6 EFAs especially women.

These common abnormalities can be corrected with N-3 and N-6 supplements along with mineral and vitamin supplements and a high protein low allergy rotation diet. 2

1 Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73) BMJ 2016;353:i1246

2 Grant ECG. Food allergies and migraine. Lancet 1979;1:966-69.