So much has been written and said about fats in our diet. By now, most consumers know the difference between Omega-3-rich oils found in flax and fish, saturated fats from animal sources and palm and coconut oils, and other plant oils loaded with a healthy doze of balancing Omega-6s and Omega-9s.
But get this: YOUR DOCTOR KNOWS LESS than you do! Research published in the respectable journal Nutrition has demonstrated that most doctors are not aware of the very basics of nutrition, specifically the basic effects of diet on blood lipids and lipoproteins.

Results

Out of 639 assessed respondents half of the physicians did not know that canola oil and 26% did not know olive oil were good sources of monounsaturated fat. Ninety-three percent (84% of cardiologists vs. 96% of internists; p < 0.001) did not know that a low-fat diet, in general, would increase blood triglycerides. Approximately three-quarters (70% of cardiologists vs. 77% of internists; p < 0.01) did not know a low-fat diet would decrease HDL-c and almost half (45%) thought that a low-fat diet would not change HDL-c.

Conclusion

What can we say about clinical workers whom we trust to make us healthier? Physicians better learn nutrition before they tell us their dietary and cholesterol management guidelines.

The reason physicians might be not the best source of accurate and current information on nutrition is because only about one-fourth of all medical schools in the US require students to take just one nutrition course; less than half provide an elective nutrition course. Students attending these classes receive an average of 20 hours of nutrition instruction m an amount they, themselves, consider inadequate.

However, such doctors as Naturopaths base their perception of health on good nutrition and health of the digestive system. What's more, they teach how you can heal yourself by modifying your diet and provide knowledge on nutrition and supplementation. The greatest benefit of Naturopathic practices is that they try to figure out the cause of the illness and cure it.

Medical Doctors and GP's are trained to provide a quick fix for whatever proble you have. Most of the time they will send you home with a box of pills and a whole range of side effects. It doesn't mean that Medical Practitioners are worthless. Indeed, they assist millions and millions of people to overcome their illnesses. They also provide treatment to sicknesses that no other natural miracle can save. It's just that nutrition might not be one of the greatest strengths physicians have in their bank of knowledge.

Sources:

J.A. Schulman, Nutrition education in medical schools: Trends and implications for heath educators, Medical Education Online

Nutrition Journal 2003, 2:19 doi:10.1186/1475-2891-2-19