Myth and Truth Answers

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)