Lack of zinc could increase risk of cardiovascular disease Raw bar Rx Okay, pass the cocktail sauce -- I just may try an oyster after this. A new study has found that a lack of zinc could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease by triggering inflammation and lowering levels of protective compounds that guard against atherosclerosis.  Zinc is found abundantly in oysters, but other good sources are red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products.  Investigators at the University of Kentucky studied mice, feeding them one of three moderate-fat diets: one containing no zinc, a control diet that contained .45 micro mol of zinc per gram, and a zinc-supplemented diet with 1.529 micro mol of zinc per gram. They found that the mice that were fed the zinc-supplemented diet had a noticeable decrease in overall cholesterol levels as well as triglycerides compared to the other groups.  The animals that were zinc-deficient had significantly higher concentrations of these same lipid variables, an increase in inflammatory markers, and a decrease in protective compounds.  Zinc has other health benefits as well. It ensures good eyesight, enhances the immune system, assists in repairing damaged tissues, and is a key nutrient for DNA reproduction and repair.  ****************************************************  Best of the worst  Q: I thought canola oil was one of the best oils to use, but now I read where that may not be the case. I use both olive oil and canola oil. What am I to believe?  JVW: Well, I wouldn't call canola oil one of the best. I wouldn't even give it runner-up status.  Canola oil was developed in response to a need by the food industry for a cheap alternative to olive oil. Smart marketers seized upon the fact that it contains approximately 10 percent omega-3 fatty acids and touted it as a healthy choice for cooking and processing. But in the processing of the oil, most of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids are lost, replaced by heart-threatening trans fatty acids. Plus, canola oil is a genetically altered variety of rapeseed oil that is low in erucic acid. Erucic acid has been shown to cause lesions in the heart.  Since you mentioned you like olive oil, your best option is to stick to that.  Yours in good health, Amanda Ross Editorial Director Nutrition & Healing

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