Saturated Fat

After doing some reading in Nourishing Traditions about saturated fat, my view has changed significantly. In America, the health professionals tell us one thing, yet I am led to question whether or not that is the truth.

Fats from animals and vegetable sources are a concentrated source of energy. These fats are the building blocks for cell membranes. Saturated fats slow down nutrient absorption, which helps you to feel full longer. Saturated fats are carriers for fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and are also needed for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A. (see pg 4 of Nourishing Traditions for further information.)

We are told to reduce our consumption of saturated fats (from animal sources) because they contain cholesterol. In the 1950's, Ancel Keys presented Lipid Hypothesis. The basics of this theory said there was a relationship between the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in one's diet and coronary heart disease. Flaws have been found in his data and conclusions, yet we never hear about them.

Nathan Pritkin was also an advocate of a low-fat diet, BUT he also called for the elimination of sugar, white flour, and processed foods. He advocated the consumption of whole grains, fresh raw foods, and strenuous exercise. Pritkin's diet was successful, but due to more than just reducing dietary fat. The "fat-free" diet had many problems. (1) People had trouble staying on it. (2) Health problems developed, such as low energy, difficulty concentrating, depression, weight gain, and mineral deficiencies. (See above for what saturated fats do for you. This explains many of the health problems when fat is reduced or eliminated.)

"Experts" recommend avoidance of animal fats, yet there is very limited evidence to support it. Read pages 5-7 in Nourishing Traditions for examples of studies in other countries as well as the US on saturated fats. Saturated vegetable fat is associated with high rates of cancer--NOT animal fats. Some fats are in deed bad, but not all of them. Pages 8-10 explain the differences in good fats and bad fats, which ones are stable and which ones go rancid.

Saturated fats do not cause modern diseases. Here are some benefits:
* help cell membranes function properly
* play a vital role in the health of bones. Helps calcium be incorporated into skeletal structures.
* lowers Lp(a) -substance in blood that indicates proneness to heart disease
* protects liver from toxins
* enhances the immune system
* is needed for the body to properly utilize essential fatty acids
* the heart draws on a reserve of fat in times of stress. The fat around the heart is highly saturated.
* protects against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract.

Saturated fats DO NOT cause artery clogging heart disease. Artery clogs are only 26% saturated fats.

There is no research to support that butter causes chronic high cholesterol. Margarine, on the other hand produces chronic high cholesterol, and is linked with heart disease and cancer. It is produced from rancid vegetable oils. Butter is the best source of fat soluble vitamins A, D, K, E. However, it should come from grass fed cows.

Myth: Heart disease in America is caused by consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal products.

Truth: During the period of rapid increase in heart disease (1920-1960), American consumption of animal fats declined but consumption of hydrogenated and industrially processed vegetable oils increased dramatically. (USDA-HN1)

What have we done? I only use butter. I purchase butter from grass fed cows when I can afford it. It is quite expensive. We do not use margarine at all! My children and myself use only whole milk. My husband is still a fan of 2%, but it is better than skim. Skim milk is terrible for you. Of course he loves whole milk in his ice cream. :) I do not follow a low fat diet, but a healthy fat diet.