#503: Lyon Diet Heart Study – Canola Oil, “Mediterranean” Diets & Minimizing Bias

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About This Episode:

The Lyon Diet Heart Study (LDHS) is often cited as one of the pivotal studies that helped establish the Mediterranean diet as a recognized and recommended dietary pattern for cardiovascular health.

A clinical trial conducted in Lyon, France, the LDHS showed significant reduction in cardiac death could be achieved in secondary prevention patients using a dietary intervention.

Conducted between 1992 to 1996, the study involved 605 participants who had previously experienced a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

LDHS showed an incredible 75% lower risk of cardiac death in these patients. This remarkable reduction was unexpected and led to considerable attention from the medical and scientific communities.

LDHS is interesting to dig into for several reasons. First, it’s clever methodology was able to account for some challenges of doing nutrition research. Second, the dietary intervention, whilst named as a “Mediterranean diet”, should perhaps be considered differently.

In this episode, Alan and Danny dig into all the details, highlighting some important lessons we can take from LDHS.