There have been some recent articles and health conferences that have eluded to something many of my colleagues and I have been saying: Saturated fat does NOT make you fat! It is the carbohydrate and sugar in the diet that really causes problems. In several recent articles, researchers and nutritionists have stated that eliminating sugar, potatoes, breads, pasta, and rice will really wipe out most cases of obesity, overweight, and metabolic syndromes. It may also lead to the reversal or removal of many other diseases, disorders, and issues humans tend to have.
None of this is new science, either. In centuries past the idea was to eat a healthy diet rich in saturated fats and low in carbohydrates to maintain health. This all turned around with the industrial revolution. The inventions of machines that made processing things easy or easier had a lot to do with how things were marketed. This also had a lot to do with the way science was handled…that is as far as research and reporting went. When Ancel Keys did his Seven Countries Study…well, let’s just say it was poor reporting…the study may not have been that great either. Here are some issues:
The study was not really of just 7 countries…it was of 22 countries! What happened there? Well, the man had a hypothesis and set out to prove it right…rather than to see if he was right or wrong (bad science). His hypothesis did not match the results…so he essentially manipulated it by choosing 7 of the countries in a line that would show his theory in the way he hypothesized. It may not have been manipulated with ill intentions…but it did have ill results. It caused us humans to believe that saturated fat was bad for us, that it would raise cholesterol and do damage. It got us onto the low-fat roller coaster we are still trying to get off of today! The fact is being once again proven that FAT DOES NOT MAKE US FAT!
Don’t believe me? Check out what these experts have to say:
Recent LA Times article:
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-carbs-20101220,0,5464425.story
CIA-HARVARD:
Click to access CIA-HARVARD-AFocusonFat.pdf
Dana Carpender:
http://holdthetoast.com/content/ancel_keys
Gary Taubes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/07/magazine/what-if-it-s-all-been-a-big-fat-lie.html
A Great Review of several experts in the field can be found at this Frontline site:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/diet/themes/lowfat.html
and finally, here is a good blog with graphics showing the Keys 7 Countries Study:
Hyperlipid Cholesteral Presentation
Now, I want to add that you must keep in mind that when I am talking about fats, I am talking about healthy fats such as those from grass-fed and pastured animal sources as well as olive oil, fish oils, and coconut oil. Those hydrogenated oils and fats and other rancid things should be avoided like the plague…because they have created one of sorts!
Oh, and one more thing: Avocados are another great source of fat! These fruits are wonderful for you…plain and simple!
Enjoy! Have a healthy day!
Rachel
alternefit 