Originally published September 15 2014
A little saturated fat never killed anyone
by Nate Curtis
(NaturalNews) The theory that saturated fat is unhealthy has been around for a number of years, with Ancel Keys' research into diet and cholesterol being a primary part during the mid-1900s. The early research of cholesterol awareness and the nutrients needed to live prompted Keys to theorize that saturated fat, especially from red meat and dairy products is unhealthy. His research showed that the diet of Americans is consistently higher in saturated fat than the diets of other other countries such as those in the Middle East.
There has been recent research that clarifies this theory and proves that it is the trans fat found in man-made vegetable oils and hydrogenated fats -- combined with the unhealthy amounts of sugar and fructose in the food supply -- that have caused more heart and diabetes problems among Americans today.
The components of breast milk include a high amount of saturated fat. There are recent studies which show that ethnic tribes in Africa, such as the Alaskan Native Americans, have a diet rich in red meat, blood and whale fat; these tribes have lower amounts of cardiovascular disease than other population groups that do not eat these foods.
Saturated fats are actually good for you
Saturated fat is essential to the proper functioning of the brain, bones, blood and energy levels of human beings. Red meat is not the only source of healthy saturated fats, they are also found in olive oil that is not heated, avocados, coconut oil, butter made from grass fed milk, palm oil, raw pecans, almonds and organic egg yolks. These foods, used along with a generous amount of greens and fruit and exercise, will help Americans to wean themselves from a diet high in processed sugars, flours and hydrogenated oils. The latter type of diet does not help the body to rid itself of the extra calories that harm the arteries and clog the veins.
Americans who lived over one hundred years ago and frequently ate red meat and saturated fats showed a very low incidence of heart disease. As the diet changed to more processed foods and more sedentary type of jobs with less exercise, the heart disease rate jumped, further aided by the increase in trans fat and less healthy cooking oils used in the preparation of food.
There have been many studies on diet involving red meat and saturated fat, including one done by Israeli scientists that showed an increase in good types of cholesterol by testers who used this type of diet fora certain time period. According to Ronald Krauss MD, the director of atherosclerosis research at The Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, "Studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD (cardiovascular disease)."
Saturated fats, when used in proper proportions, are helpful to maintaining a good diet that will keep the harmful types of cholesterol from accumulating in the body. As with all types of diets and lifestyles, moderation and exercise are keys to attaining a healthy balance and staying in shape.
Sources for this article include:
Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease -- Tarino, Sun, Hu, Krauss
http://www.menshealth.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/037055_saturated_...
About the author:
Nate Curtis has written dozens of health articles and is the author of the Amazingly Informative and Extremely Entertaining Free Special Health Report "It's Your Body, You Can Die If You Want To!" Check it out now at http://www.youcandieifyouwantto.com
Nate Curtis has written dozens of health articles and is the author of the Amazingly Informative and Extremely Entertaining Free Special Health Report "It's Your Body, You Can Die If You Want To!" Check it out now at http://www.youcandieifyouwantto.com
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