Fred Kummerow

Fred Kummerow
Born
Friedrich August Kummerow

(1914-10-04)October 4, 1914
Berlin, Germany[1]
DiedMay 31, 2017(2017-05-31) (aged 102)
Urbana, Illinois, United States
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationPh.D.
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Known forshowed link between trans-fatty acids and heart disease
SpouseAmy Kummerow (died 2012)
ChildrenMax (son); Jean, Kay (daughters)
Scientific career
FieldsBiochemistry
InstitutionsUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

Fred August Kummerow (October 4, 1914 – May 31, 2017) was a German-born American biochemist. A longtime professor of comparative biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Kummerow was best known as an opponent of the use of artificial trans fats in processed foods, carrying out a 50-year campaign for a federal ban on the use of the substance in processed foods.[2] He was one of the pioneers in establishing the connection between trans fats and heart disease, and he helped to cement the inclusion of trans fats into the Nurses' Health Study.[3][2] He also helped discover that it is oxidized cholesterol, rather than the cholesterol, that causes heart disease.[4]

  1. ^ Cary, Joan (28 September 2014). "No trans fat cake for U. of I. prof about to turn 100". Chicago Tribune.
  2. ^ a b Katie Hafner, Fred A. Kummerow, an Early Opponent of Trans Fats, Dies at 102, New York Times (June 1, 2017).
  3. ^ Melanie Warner, A Lifelong Fight against Trans Fat, New York Times (December 16, 2013).
  4. ^ Scientist, 98, Challenges Orthodoxy on Causes of Heart Disease, SciCast (adapted from the University of Illinois) (July 31, 2013).