More Heart Than Most: Oldest Living Lipid Researcher Studies the Cause of Heart Disease

Summary

At 98, Fred Kummerow, a retired professor, continues his research on heart disease at the University of Illinois. He challenges the notion that dietary cholesterol is harmful, instead highlighting the dangers of oxidized cholesterol from repeatedly used frying oils. His findings link the accumulation of oxysterols and calcium in arteries to atherosclerosis, advocating for a ban on trans fats and advising a balanced diet low in fried foods to prevent heart disease.

Takeaways

• 👨‍🔬 Fred Kummerow, a 98-year-old emeritus professor, continues to research heart disease at the University of Illinois.
• 🧪 Kummerow's research focuses on the role of dietary lipids in health and heart disease.
• 🍳 He rejects the idea that cholesterol in foods like eggs, butter, cheese, meat, or milk contributes to heart disease.
• 🥚 He differentiates between 'good cholesterol' found in foods and 'bad cholesterol' resulting from the reuse of frying oils.
• 🧬 Kummerow's studies found that people with high levels of oxidized lipids in their blood plasma are at greater risk of heart disease.
• 🩸 His research indicates that the ratio of sphingomyelin to phosphatidylcholine in arterial membranes changes with age, potentially contributing to heart disease.
• 🔎 Kummerow observed that oxysterols increase sphingomyelin levels and calcium influx into cells, which can lead to atherosclerosis.
• 🚫 He was one of the first to link hydrogenated oils in the diet to heart disease and advocated for a ban on trans fats.
• 📝 Kummerow filed a petition with the FDA in 2009 to ban partially hydrogenated fats from the American diet.
• 🍽️ His advice for a longer life and to avoid heart disease includes avoiding hydrogenated and oxidized fats and eating a well-balanced diet with limited fried foods.

Q & A

How old is Fred Kummerow and what is his current occupation?

Fred Kummerow is 98 years old and he is an emeritus professor at the University of Illinois who still works with a team of scientists in his university laboratory to study the causes of heart disease.

What are some of the traits that keep Fred Kummerow going?

Fred Kummerow has an insatiable curiosity, is ambitious, and is not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom.

What was Fred Kummerow's family situation when he was nine years old?

When Fred Kummerow was nine years old, his family came to the United States and lived through hard economic times, relying on government-supplied powdered milk, sugar, and flour.

How did Fred Kummerow support his family during the Great Depression?

Fred Kummerow supported his family by delivering newspapers and earning $5 a week.

What was Fred Kummerow's educational background before registering as a graduate student?

Fred Kummerow attended night school at the University of Wisconsin extension division and later got a summer job at Miller Brewing company, which allowed him to enroll at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Who was Fred Kummerow's advisor when he registered as a graduate student in biochemistry?

Fred Kummerow's advisor was biochemistry professor Harry Steenbock, known for discovering that ultraviolet light increased the Vitamin D content of foods.

What is Fred Kummerow's stance on the role of dietary cholesterol in heart disease?

Fred Kummerow rejects the idea that dietary cholesterol from foods like eggs, butter, cheese, meat, or milk contributes to heart disease. He differentiates between 'good cholesterol' found in these foods and 'bad cholesterol' that results from the oxidation of fats during frying.

What does Kummerow believe to be the real culprit in heart disease?

Fred Kummerow believes that oxidized cholesterols, or oxysterols, which are produced when oils are reused for frying foods, are dangerous to health and contribute to heart disease.

What did Kummerow and his colleagues discover about the blood plasma of people who had bypass operations?

Kummerow and his colleagues found that people with high levels of oxidized lipids in their blood plasma were at the greatest risk of heart disease, regardless of their cholesterol levels.

What is the significance of the ratio of sphingomyelin to phosphatidylcholine in arterial health?

Kummerow observed that the ratio of sphingomyelin to phosphatidylcholine in arterial membranes changes with age, leading to an increase in sphingomyelin. This change is associated with calcium accumulation in the arteries, which is a sign of atherosclerosis.

What is the role of calcium in the development of atherosclerosis according to Kummerow's research?

Calcium adheres to the negatively charged sphingomyelin in arterial membranes, leading to its accumulation. This accumulation can block the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, potentially causing heart failure.

What was Fred Kummerow's contribution to understanding the link between diet and heart disease?

Fred Kummerow was one of the first to see a link between hydrogenated oils in the diet and heart disease. He advocated for a ban on trans fats and showed that trans fats and oxidized fats can interfere with normal blood flow.

What is Fred Kummerow's advice for preventing heart disease?

Fred Kummerow advises avoiding hydrogenated and oxidized fats, eating a well-balanced diet, and limiting fried foods to prevent heart disease.