1. Saturated fat clogs arteries. MYTH
Truth: The fatty acids found in artery clogs are mostly unsaturated (74%) of which 41% are polyunsaturated. (Lancet 1994 344:1195)
2. Vitamin B12 can be obtained from certain plant sources such as blue-green algae and soy products. MYTH
Truth: Vitamin B12 is not absorbed from plant sources. Modern soy products increase the body's need for B12. (Soybeans: Chemistry & Technology Vol 1 1972)
3. Animal fats cause cancer and heart disease. MYTH
Truth: Animal fats contain many nutrients that protect against cancer and heart disease; elevated rates of cancer and heart disease are associated with consumption of large amounts of vegetable oils. (Fed Proc July 1978 37:2215)
4. Low fat diets prevent breast cancer. MYTH
Truth: A recent study found that women on very low fat diets (less than 20%) had the same rate of breast cancer as women who consumed large amounts of fat (NEIM 2/8/96)
5. Vegetariansim is healthier than meat eating. MYTH
Truth: The annual all-cause death rate of vegetarian men is slightly more than that of nonvegetarian men (0.93% vs 0.89%); the annual death rate of vegetarian women is significantly more than that of nonvegetarian women (0.86% vs. 0.54%). (PPNF Journal 1998 22:4:30)
**I will say, I have seen certain health conditions that have benefited from a vegetarian lifestyle, but I would not recommend this for just anyone.
6. A vegetarian diet will protect you against atherosclerosis. MYTH
Truth: The International Atherosclerosis Project found that vegetarians had just as much atherosclerosis as meat eaters. (Lab Invest 1986 18:465)
7. Children benefit from a low fat diet. MYTH
Truth: Children on low fat diets suffer from growth problems, failure to thrive, and learning disabilities. (Food Chem News 10/3/94)
8. To avoid heart disease, we should use margarine instead of butter. MYTH
Truth: Margarine eaters have twice the rate of heart disease as butter eaters. (Nutrition Week 3/22/91 21:12)
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Interesting! My pediatrician says 1% milk for kids after age 2, careful to have moderate animal fat, low-to-none on processed fatty foods... that's what I meant by low-fat for kids. More thoughts on this??
ReplyDeleteYes, you do moderate animals fats. I'm not saying over indulge. But to restrict healthy fat intake for children is dangerous. I disagree about the low fat milk. Brandt and I drink/use whole milk, and I will continue to do so. I have more info if you are interested. Yes, on low-to-none processed fatty foods. It's the saturated fats in vegetable oils that cause the health problems. You can also go to www.westonaprice.org for more info on milk.
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