A fascinating paradox with regard to nutrition, disease risk and survival

Dr. Raphael Cuomo, professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, whose work I mentioned earlier, drawn my attention to a fascinating recent paper he wrote. It is about “Nutritional Epidemiology Risk -Survival Paradox”, for which the term “Cuomo’s Paradox” has also been devised. There is also a good summary of the paradox in This YouTube video. In summary, there are recommendations for health and nutrition to reduce the risk of acquiring disorders such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. But the paradox is that if you already have one of these diseases, the same recommendations can be contraindicated because they can now increase the risk of dying in the disease. An important example is obesity, known as a risk factor. But wearing some extra kilos can be protective after you already have a disease.

Proof of more effects such as these (such as the effects of alcohol and cholesterol) are covered in the paper. Dr. Cuomo points out that we may not have enough information to change health recommendations, but more research is absolutely necessary on this intriguing paradox. Here is a link to the full text in the Journal of Nutrition.