NEJM Article: I am Astonished to the Ignorance by Medical Researchers to Basic Facts About the Food We Eat!

Image via WikipediaLeaving aside the outcome of this study and what it means, I am astonished to the ignorance of basic chemical facts about polyunsaturated fatty acids as EPA and DHA used in this study? The ignorance of the fact that polyunsaturated fatty acids are unstable compounds unless handled appropriately. Mishandling of polyunsaturated fatty acids can convert them into the dangerous trans-fatty acids!

In short, this study compared margarines’ that post myocardial infarction (MI) patients would eat with margarines with added low dose two omega three fatty acids; EPA and DHA. (usually present in cold seas fish as salmon and cod) These patients were kept on the standard post MI drugs. In the published article there is no mention of how was this margarine used and handled. For anyone with knowledge about the chemistry of fatty acids, this information is vital to know if patients truly consumed EPA and DHA or altered ones.

N–3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Events after Myocardial Infarction — NEJM