The American Heart Association's presidential statement on saturated fats is appalling.
The AHA went after butter, steak and especially coconut oil with a warning.
According to the AHA:
Saturated fats from these sources cause heart disease. Lowering saturated fats and replacing it with unsaturated fats lower heart disease incidence. The reasons AHA cites is that saturated fats increase LDL often known as bad cholesterol. An increase in LDL causes heart disease. So, eating saturated fat leads to heart disease.
Does this mean, eating saturated fats like ghee & coconut oil is bad?
No! Not all saturated fats are the same, and they do not affect the body in the same way. When you avoid saturated fats like coconut oil and ghee, you miss out on their benefits.
For instance, ghee (clarified butter) provides butyrate a short chain fat. It acts as a detoxifier and improves colon health. Ghee supports healthy insulin levels and is also anti-inflammatory.
Another saturated fat that is beneficial is the coconut oil. It's rich in medium chain fats. It improves insulin levels, body metabolism and boosts brain health.
Are Saturated fats the cause of heart disease?
No. Many factors play a role in the etiology of heart disease. Here are the prime factors:
- Eating refined flours and sugar
- Using plenty of refined oils which cause inflammation
- Overeating
- Stressful lifestyle
- Lack of exercise
- Low intake of fiber-rich foods
- Lack of antioxidants in the menu (fruit and vegetables)
AHA's biased report!
It's a hypothesis
The theory that eating saturated fat raises cholesterol originated half a century ago. More recent (and higher quality) evidence doesn’t support it.
Also, all the low-fat options that we followed the last 50 years have only led to an increase of the following:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Alzheimer's
Lack of evidence
We have more than 17 studies and analyses that show no link between saturated fats and heart disease.
So how did AHA come to such a conclusion? Just by cherry-picking studies that were 50 or more years old for their recent report.
Another faulty recommendation
Above all, the AHA's recommendation to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats is wrong.
Unsaturated fats like canola oil are inflammation-causing and damage the heart. Inflammation is one of the underlying factors for many degenerative diseases. How is that the AHA has failed to note that?
It's because Pharma & Food companies pull the strings.
The AHA gets its donations from Pharma and big food companies. It's no brainer that they come out with a statement favoring their interest.
Bottom line
What you need to step away from, are the processed and refined fats and not the healthy fats. Natural, unrefined saturated fats like coconut oil are good for you.
- Keep in mind, Don't overeat fats.
- Avoid combining saturated fats with refined sugar and as part of a processed diet.
- Practice mindfulness and use saturated fats in moderate amounts.
- Don't go – no fat, go healthy fat!
Yours in health and happiness,
Danette
P.S. Please help me spread the word about saturated fats and I welcome your comments below.