Saturated Fats

Truth about saturated fats video.


Is God Stupid? video clip

"Saturated fat- purported to be very bad for us- is in fact extremely important in maintaining the health of the cell membrane, which is comprised of at least 50 percent saturated fatty acids. Saturated fats are also needed for the proper utilization of the essential fatty acids, like the omega 3s, the consumption of which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks.

"Saturated fats attempt to normalize cholesterol levels. When saturated fat does raise total cholesterol levels, it has been shown to raise the good HDL in the process. In addition to that, and as we have seen from the Framingham study, consumption of saturated fat, a substance absolutely essential to cellular health, lowers a number of markers used by physicians to determine the risk of coronary heart disease.

"Excess saturated fat, however, can be a problem due to its tendency to make platelets sticky, causing them to aggregate. This could be trouble for cardiovascular system if the high amounts of saturated fat are not kept in check by limiting sugar and by increasing fiber. An adequate intake of vitamin C and the essential fats like the omega-3s from fish and flax can also help the general population counteract eh effects of excess saturated fat.

"It appears that saturated fat, like cholesterol, isn't the culprit it has been made out to be after all. A recent study of 2000 subjects on a low saturated fat diet for two years showed no reduction in the recurrence of colon tumor precursors. Another 6-year study of 40,000 middle aged American men showed no link between saturated fat and heart disease. In animal studies as well, saturated fat helped to prevent strokes, not cause them. To say that saturated fat causes heart disease is, as numerous researchers are beginning to point out to us: 'Wrong.'" (from Politically Incorrect Nutrition by Michael Barbee, C.D.C, p 26)

A significant risk factor for developing heart disease is high levels of a substance in the blood called lipoprotein(a). This Lp(a) is a 'sticky' variant of LDL cholesterol and appears to help form arterial plaques. Saturated fat lowers levels of this damaging substance while consumption of trans fat raises the amount of Lp(a) in the blood. Cell membranes simply prefer saturated fat, but through their advertising, promoters of the vegetable oil industry have tried to convince us otherwise. A high consumption of polyunsaturated fats, however, has long been connected to the development of cancer and heart disease.