It's official, Saturated fat does not cause heart disease

[Sonyajba]

bbc.co.uk/news/health-26611861

[MikePollard]

That's what I eagerly took to be the message, but sadly it's not quite as straightforward. The meta studies must have included Nurses Study, Framingham, MRFIT etc etc meaning anyone with an interest in the nutritional side of heart disease etc would have reached the conclusion that there is no conclusive evidence that saturated fat is detrimental to health. On the other hand there is plenty of evidence that polyunsaturated fats (essentially man made oils) are highly inflammatory. Couple that with reading Ravnskov, Colpo, Kendrick (look up THINCS) and you'll be pretty sanguine about butter, cream, cheese, bacon etc The message from the powers that be, evidenced by the video clip, is same old, same old.

Cholesterol is NOT the culprit, but the essence of life.

This news is one more chip in the wall but it will take many more before the whole edifice comes tumbling down - the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries will not be sacrificing their cash cow any time soon!

[DakCB-UK in reply to MikePollard]

One big note of caution: this was a general population study and reaction of people with FH may well differ.

And two general comments: of course there's no conclusive evidence - that's very rare in experimental sciences - and "man made oils" groan.

[Sonyajba]

I couldn't agree with you more. I've read all the above and I know cholesterol is not the evil that some in the medical profession would have us believe, it's all a total lie but it seems we have to accept baby steps and be grateful.

I just wish the cholesterol myth made front line news, hopefully one day

[Hidden]

But isn't it typical that the British Heart Foundation doesn't seem to agree. Probably the dear old NHS and Diabetes UK's advice will still be the same - keep up the high carbohydrate intake, cut the saturated fat, keep taking the medicine for whatever ails you.

[Beek]

My diabetes support nurse gave me a great file quantifying units of carbs and recommended sticking to 10 units of carbs a day to lose weight. I found this the most helpful advice to date. I think things are slowly changing in the advice we are being given. At the end of the day though we must take control of our own destiny and read up as much as we can. Trouble is there is so much conflicting advice it's hard to know who to believe!

Just go with what makes you feel your best. I am trying to apply LCHF diet but keeping it low on fats. (If that makes sense to you!)

[MikePollard in reply to Beek]

The whole point of LCHF is to replace (I'd underline 'replace' if I could) carbohydrate with fat (and saturated at that) The excess carbohydrate we are advised to consume, and have been dutifully following since the '70's, is driving societal health issues.

Following LCHF requires losing your fear of fat, and being diabetic this, coupled with lowering carbohydrate (AKA sugar), can only help with control of your blood sugar.

[Beek]

Hi Mike,

I think we probably hold similar views about carbs v fat. I have long been of the opinion that problems with an ever increasing obese population parallels our increased use of sugars and highly refined carbs and 'low fat' foods. I have always used butter, cheese etc but in moderation.

I find that the running is having a huge impact on my blood sugars, which makes me want to do even more of course. I agree that I must lose my 'fear' of fats though. I have read several books lately about diet and exercise and I feel very few people actually understand how our bodies work to metabolise our intake. It's a whole lot more than calories in/ calories out.

It's all very interesting reading though. I would like to resolve my diabetes and some of the reports say that this is possible.

As a beekeeper I would use some honey instead of sugars, although I do understand it is mostly carbs!

Did you know that the bees feed queen larvae a much higher sugar content of brood food, which in turn encourages her to gorge on her food intake by a many fold increase. Could this be happening to us through sugar too?

And as far as cholesterol goes the cholesterol protects us from some diseases, it's not all bad.

[DakCB-UK]

“HEART UK is aware that replacing saturated fat with largely unrefined carbohydrate has potentially negative benefits and..."

Should that really say unrefined?

[Sonyajba]

I like this comment

' Elevated LDL cholesterol is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and this is indisputable'

I think you'll find this is greatly disputed by many in medical profession.

[Sonyajba]

Indisputable? Really?......

Okay, let us accept that eating saturated fat does raise cholesterol levels. However, if consumption of saturated fat does not increase the rate of heart disease then….. Then raised cholesterol levels can have nothing whatsoever to do with causing heart disease.

Dr Kendrick

[DakCB-UK]

Cool. I might care more if I hadn't been booted out of membership.

[SamDatum]

Traci, I think you meant, "Indeed it should (be changed)", correct? UK Heart site should say "refined carbohydrates" as it now does.

"just saying"