Since the survival-shortening activity of some vegetable oils, including canola and hydrogenated soybean oil, was reported in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), several studies have been carried out to identify the causatives, but without success. We evaluated changes in pathophysiological parameters in several strains of rats caused by canola and/or hydrogenated soybean oil to help identify the causatives. No single target organ was found for canola oil, but several changes were observed in the parameters. That is, a diet containing 10% canola oil, which shortens the life of SHRSP and similar survival-shortening is also caused by hydrogenated soybean oil, increased blood pressure; decreased platelet counts; enhanced blood coagulation; increased hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, with an elevation of plasma lipids; altered Na&sup+;, K&sup+;-ATPase activities; decreased antioxidant enzyme activities; and increased plasma aldosterone levels, with a decrease in plasma and/or testicular testosterone levels in several strains of rats. Moreover, histochemical examinations revealed increased expression of cyclooxygenase 2 in macula densa cells in the kidney. In this review, the physiological and pathological changes are summarized in relation to canola oil-induced exacerbation of the hypertension-related conditions in SHR and SHRSP. In addition, possible involvement of dihydro-vitamin K1-like substance is discussed in relation to the observed changes.

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Lipid nutrition is considered to be very important for the growth and development of children, especially low birth weight (LBW) infants. To improve mental development in LBW infants sphingomyelin is very important as well as docosahexaenoic acid. Brain volume measured by MRI is well correlated with head circumference and its gray matter volume has a relationship with triglyceride levels in umbilical blood. Body weight gain in infants is correlated to obesity and abnormal lipid metabolism in adolescent period. We should always consider effects of lipid nutrition on growth and development in children.

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Mental and physical fitness of the pupils are strongly related to the fullness of the school life. Grades in schoolwork of pupils seemed to be affected by the way of their life styles. Therefore, this report verified the association between grades in schoolwork of pupils and their life styles, especially whether or not eating habits contribute to promote their healthy mind and healthy body in the junior high school pupils. Among the eating habits in the pupils, intake of breakfast every day appeared to be the most important factor for their grades in schoolwork, and also it was associated with their mental and physical fitness. Japanese-style dish that contains a lot of food fibers seemed to be useful for not only daily regular living rhythm but also improving their learning ability. Intake of too much animal fat appeared to be a symbolic life-style that indicated an unfavorable habitual style, such as sleep-less and sedentary habit, so improvement of the fat intake may be expected to form the favorable customs of taking good sleep and exercise every day. These eating habits may promote good condition in the comprehensive daily life-style and grades in schoolwork for the pupils.

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I emphasize the importance of conflict of interest and implications of Big Pharma-assisted clinical trials when discussing the effects of cholesterol-lowering medicines. The situation around papers on clinical trials has changed since EU Clinical Trial Directive took effect. Trials in which cholesterol levels were lowered or more lowered with aggressive treatment have shown no significant beneficial effects except for few exceptions after the Directive. I also show some other aspects of cholesterol that have rarely (or never) been discussed in Japan. For example; 1. The LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who have already suffered from coronary heart disease (CHD) are not higher than in FH patients without CHD. 2. LDL and other lipoproteins serve as a non-specific natural defense against bacteria and virus. 3. By understanding that LDL-cholesterol is not bad for your health, we can enter new stages of lipid nutrition. The intake of saturated fat does not increase cardiovascular death rates in Japan.

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