I'm looking forward to the comments.

Sheldon

Genes influence heart disease risk from fatty diet
Oct 22 (Reuters Health) - A new study adds weight to the argument that some people are simply blessed with good genes when it comes to their health.


According to the report, people with a certain variation in the hepatic lipase gene--LIPC--are more prone to the heart-damaging effects of a high-fat diet. Levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol were lower among adults with two copies of the variation who consumed a diet high in saturated fat. The same diet did not cause a decrease in HDL among adults with only one copy of the gene, which helps to regulate the way HDL is broken down in the body.


The findings, published in the October 29th rapid access edition of
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, provide clues to a dietary dilemma that has stumped researchers.


"This is another piece in the puzzle that helps us explain why some people will react to a dietary change while others do not," Dr. Jose M. Ordovas from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, said in a prepared statement.


In an interview with Reuters Health, Ordovas said that the findings point to a mechanism by which a gene works, and reinforce the idea that certain people need to restrict their intake of saturated fat. He said that about 4% to 5% of the population has the mutation in both genes, but this proportion varies among ethnic groups.


The study, while preliminary, can also help researchers to devise dietary recommendations for heart disease based on genetics. People with two copies of the gene variant, for instance, might benefit from a severe restriction in animal fat, since a low HDL level is a major risk factor for heart disease.


At this point, however, more research is needed before testing for the gene becomes commonplace.


The study included more than 2,000 US adults with an average age of 55 years, who had their blood drawn and answered questions about their diets. Researchers determined whether they carried the C, or normal, variant of the LIPC gene, or the less-common T version--or both.


"Good" cholesterol levels were lowest among those with two copies of the "T" gene variant who consumed 30% or more of their total calories from fat. Dietary guidelines recommend eating less than 30% of total calories from fat. Not surprisingly, those with two copies of the gene who consumed a low-fat diet had HDL levels that were 16% higher than their peers.


Among individuals with one T version of the gene, or none, good cholesterol levels rose even as fat intake increased.


The relationship between fat intake and genotype held for saturated fat, found in animal products like meat and dairy, and monounsaturated fat, found in nuts, olives and avocados. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in some fish and fish oil, did not appear to influence the relationship between genotype and HDL levels.


SOURCE: Circulation 2002;106:2315-2321.



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Sheldon, I don't know about anything else being "handed down" in our gene line... but I do know this... I am built the same way as my mother, who was built the same way as her mother... and I never seen any pictures of my maternal great grandmother as to what she looked like... my maternal grandfather also carried his weight the same way... so double the genes there... I carry the majority of my weight in my upper body, a true apple shape to be sure... my sister though is all hips and ... well backside ... my brother's weight is pretty much evenly distributed... Both of my sons are tall and lean... and I am hoping that KaeLyn follows in their physique instead of mine... My sister has always made the comments of she wished she could have my body from the waist on down... then she would have the "perfect shape", to which I reply... no way... I don't want your hips... no way... now how... aaaahhhhhhhhh families But I can see where genetics play a factor in many things... so why not in influencing heart disease risk from fatty diet?

Sheldon...

Very interesting. It would be more interesting from a low carb perspective to see what influence these same genes have on cardiac risk factors in the absence of high amounts of carbs. I'm sure the studies done didn't restrict carb intake in any way in those that were studied so we have here another example of what happens to people when the consume both high levels of carb and saturated fat together which brings me to another question...was it the saturated fat that caused problems in those with the double copy of the gene or the combination of fat/carbs that did and could it be more evidence that there are some that genetically simply can't handle high amounts of carbs along with fats, but have no problems with fats if the carbs are restricted?

Lisa--

Good points, all of them. I was bothered that the article and study are premised on the belief that dietary fat is a cause of heart disease. But Ravnskov's work belies this. The studies just do not support it.

Suze--

No doubt we inherit potentials from our ancestors. But Schwarzbein is convinced that their influence is much less than usually supposed and that our own way of living has a much larger say in what happens to us.

Sheldon

Sheldon I see what you are saying, and that does make sense. My mom has high blood pressure, and I think it pisses her off that I do not have it... I have low blood pressure in fact! She is just sure that with my weight, I should be battling it... well, no disrespect mom.... but PPPffffffttttttttt!! It is sort of the nature vs. nurture thing.... hey... I said sort of... heheheh.