(18-07-2017) Corn Oil in Treatment of Ischaemic Heart Disease

G. A. ROSE,* D.M., M.R.C.P.; W. B. THOMSON,t M.D., M.R.C.P.; R. T. WILLIAMS,4 M.B., M.R.C.P.

It has been shown that ischaemic heart disease tends to be
associated with elevated levels of serum cholesterol, both in
populations (Keys et al., 1958) and in individuals (Kannel et al.,.
1961). There is also evidence that population levels of serum
cholesterol are sometimes correlated with (among other characteristics)
a high intake of animal fats and a relatively low intake
of unsaturated vegetable oils (Bronte-Stewart et al., J 955).
Attempts to demonstrate such a correlation in individuals
between customary diet and serum-cholesterol level have been
unsuccessful (Morris et al., 1963) ; but the level may be altered
by changes in fat intake (Ahrens et al., 1955 ; Gordon and
Brock, 1958 ; and Pilkington et al., 1960).
From this it has seemed worth investigating the effects on
ischaemic heart disease of reducing the level of serum
cholesterol. Adequately controlled therapeutic trials have been
reported for cholesterol-lowering hormones (Stamler et al.,
1960; Oliver and Boyd, 1961), with negative results. Nevertheless
it is desirable to test the dietary hypothesis more directly.
The results of prophylactic trials of this kind are unlikely to be
available for some time. In the meantime it is of clinical
interest to know whether patients with established ischaemic
heart disease can be benefited by dietary manipulation. A simple
reduction of fat intake has failed to show any benefit (Ball et al.,
1964); but no adequately controlled " double-blind " trial of
an unsaturated oil has yet been reported.

Source: Brit. med. J., 1965, 1, 1531-1533

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