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Comments on: Are Saturated Fats Really All That Bad? http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/ Ruminations on Weight Loss, Health, and Longevity Via the Mediterranean Diet Sun, 26 May 2013 05:37:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Leigh Ann http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11557 Leigh Ann Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:15:01 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11557 Interesting. I didn't know there was controversy over saturated fat. I guess if you eat lots of fruits and veggies and stay away from high-calorie junk food, you'll get less saturated fat anyway, as you suggest, and I don't think there's a controversy over whether eating from the garden is healthy--unless you're eating the weeds, of course. :-) Leigh Ann Otte Managing Editor My Family Doctor magazine Interesting. I didn’t know there was controversy over saturated fat. I guess if you eat lots of fruits and veggies and stay away from high-calorie junk food, you’ll get less saturated fat anyway, as you suggest, and I don’t think there’s a controversy over whether eating from the garden is healthy–unless you’re eating the weeds, of course.

:-)

Leigh Ann Otte
Managing Editor
My Family Doctor magazine

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D. http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11564 Steve Parker, M.D. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:03:38 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11564 Hi, Leigh Ann. I didn't know saturated fats were controversial either until about a year ago when I stumbled upon some low-carb eating blogs like "Weight of the Evidence." When you eat low-carb, you have to replace carbs with either fat or protein - usually both. So you would have to come to terms with whether saturated fats are harmful or not. The low-carb bloggers pointed out the contradictory studies. Only recently did I have the time to really dig into it. -Steve Hi, Leigh Ann. I didn’t know saturated fats were controversial either until about a year ago when I stumbled upon some low-carb eating blogs like “Weight of the Evidence.”

When you eat low-carb, you have to replace carbs with either fat or protein - usually both. So you would have to come to terms with whether saturated fats are harmful or not. The low-carb bloggers pointed out the contradictory studies. Only recently did I have the time to really dig into it.

-Steve

]]> By: darya http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11568 darya Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:44:15 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11568 I agree Steve, the evidence for any danger of saturated fats for heart disease is ambiguous and clouded by dogma. I think it is fair to say the impact is likely small and we can eat moderate amounts of meat and be healthy, as long as there is still room for all the other good foods and total calories don't get too high. That limits meat by nature. What concerns me is that no one talks much about the other issues with saturated fat. For instance, I read a paper last week that linked saturated fat to pancreatic cancer. Granted this was not a very good paper, but still there is more to life than heart disease. You clearly spent a lot of time on this, thank you!!! I agree Steve, the evidence for any danger of saturated fats for heart disease is ambiguous and clouded by dogma. I think it is fair to say the impact is likely small and we can eat moderate amounts of meat and be healthy, as long as there is still room for all the other good foods and total calories don’t get too high. That limits meat by nature.

What concerns me is that no one talks much about the other issues with saturated fat. For instance, I read a paper last week that linked saturated fat to pancreatic cancer. Granted this was not a very good paper, but still there is more to life than heart disease.

You clearly spent a lot of time on this, thank you!!!

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D. http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11571 Steve Parker, M.D. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:36:28 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11571 I'm glad to hear from you, Darya. Although I have a degree in Zoology and studied many different sciences in college, I don't "do science" on a daily basis. The practice of medicine involves both art and science. Anyone interested in a scientist's view of food/nutrition should see Darya's blog, http://SummerTomato.com -Steve I’m glad to hear from you, Darya. Although I have a degree in Zoology and studied many different sciences in college, I don’t “do science” on a daily basis. The practice of medicine involves both art and science.

Anyone interested in a scientist’s view of food/nutrition should see Darya’s blog, http://SummerTomato.com

-Steve

]]> By: anon http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11605 anon Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:24:46 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11605 I think part of the equation that gets lost is what people tend to eat when they have a diet high in saturated fat - potato chips, donuts, french fries, etc. When it's unsaturated fat, it tends be associated with higher quality, nutritious foods. I think part of the equation is processed vs unprocessed foods, especially the carbs that get paired up with the fat/oil. I'm guessing that eating steak along with an olive oil dressing salad, cherries, and a glass of wine would be healthy compared to a hamburger and french fries despite having similar saturated fat amounts. It's a 'can't see a tree for a forest' type of deal. I think part of the equation that gets lost is what people tend to eat when they have a diet high in saturated fat - potato chips, donuts, french fries, etc. When it’s unsaturated fat, it tends be associated with higher quality, nutritious foods. I think part of the equation is processed vs unprocessed foods, especially the carbs that get paired up with the fat/oil. I’m guessing that eating steak along with an olive oil dressing salad, cherries, and a glass of wine would be healthy compared to a hamburger and french fries despite having similar saturated fat amounts. It’s a ‘can’t see a tree for a forest’ type of deal.

]]> By: For The Love of Food | Summer Tomato - Upgrade Your Healthstyle | Healthy Eating Tips http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11611 For The Love of Food | Summer Tomato - Upgrade Your Healthstyle | Healthy Eating Tips Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:58:16 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11611 [...] Are Saturated Fats Really All That Bad? <<And while we’re stepping on people’s beliefs, check out Dr. Steve Parker’s well-researched article about saturated fats and their lack of correlation to coronary heart disease. Uh-oh. (Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog) [...] […] Are Saturated Fats Really All That Bad? <<And while we’re stepping on people’s beliefs, check out Dr. Steve Parker’s well-researched article about saturated fats and their lack of correlation to coronary heart disease. Uh-oh. (Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog) […]

]]> By: sss http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11614 sss Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:39:06 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11614 Another great post Steve. LDL may go up a bit w/ increased saturated fat intake BUT as Taubes and others like William Davis, MD, cardiologist and the Drs. Eades, have pointed out: LDL is not all the same; there are six or seven different LDLs that are totalled in an LDL number; it is the small particle VLDL that is harmful; the rest of the LDL is large, pillowy, stuff like HDL; carbohydrate intake drives the amount of dangerous VLDL in the blood. That's right; it's the carbs. Taubes has an excellent discussion of the blood pressure lowering effects of carbohydrate elimination/restriction. Pages 145-153 I think. That's right too; it's not dietary salt but dietary carbs that drive blood pressure higher. Well, I don't have to ask you if you've gotten around to reading Taubes. Cheers. Another great post Steve. LDL may go up a bit w/ increased saturated fat intake BUT as Taubes and others like William Davis, MD, cardiologist and the Drs. Eades, have pointed out: LDL is not all the same; there are six or seven different LDLs that are totalled in an LDL number; it is the small particle VLDL that is harmful; the rest of the LDL is large, pillowy, stuff like HDL; carbohydrate intake drives the amount of dangerous VLDL in the blood. That’s right; it’s the carbs. Taubes has an excellent discussion of the blood pressure lowering effects of carbohydrate elimination/restriction. Pages 145-153 I think. That’s right too; it’s not dietary salt but dietary carbs that drive blood pressure higher. Well, I don’t have to ask you if you’ve gotten around to reading Taubes. Cheers.

]]> By: Melanie Thomassian | Dietriffic http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11678 Melanie Thomassian | Dietriffic Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:59:41 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11678 Hi Steve, Really interesting article. I totally see where you're coming from, and as a dietitian I often struggle with this one - I've heard so much about the push to lower sat fats being more about selling drugs for the big boss drug companies, than actually improving people's health. I'd hate to think I was a "mouth piece" for such companies only interested in lining their pockets!! As a doctor, do you prescribe cholesterol lowering meds to your patients? Hi Steve,
Really interesting article. I totally see where you’re coming from, and as a dietitian I often struggle with this one - I’ve heard so much about the push to lower sat fats being more about selling drugs for the big boss drug companies, than actually improving people’s health. I’d hate to think I was a “mouth piece” for such companies only interested in lining their pockets!!

As a doctor, do you prescribe cholesterol lowering meds to your patients?

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D. http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11689 Steve Parker, M.D. Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:16:19 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11689 Hi, Melanie. I do indeed prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs, especially statins. I'm convinced they do prevent heart attacks and prolong life in properly selected patients. Nevertheless, I'm not sold on a recent push in the U.S. to prescribe statins (Crestor, specifically) to all middle-aged people with a high C-reactive protein levels. I blogged about it here: http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?p=88 Hi, Melanie. I do indeed prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs, especially statins. I’m convinced they do prevent heart attacks and prolong life in properly selected patients.

Nevertheless, I’m not sold on a recent push in the U.S. to prescribe statins (Crestor, specifically) to all middle-aged people with a high C-reactive protein levels. I blogged about it here:
http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?p=88

]]> By: Jim Purdy http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11769 Jim Purdy Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:26:02 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11769 I agree with most of what you have to say, but I'm very skeptical about grains, whether whole or not. I'm trying to avoid all grains and cereals, and my Type 2 diabetic blood glucose seems to do better without them. I agree with most of what you have to say, but I’m very skeptical about grains, whether whole or not. I’m trying to avoid all grains and cereals, and my Type 2 diabetic blood glucose seems to do better without them.

]]> By: Steve Parker, M.D> http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11777 Steve Parker, M.D> Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:07:20 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-11777 Hi, Jim. I'm reading "Atkins Diabetes Revolution" now. The authors would definitely tend to agree with you on grains. Yet, I keep reading research reports touting the health benefits of grains. Here's the latest one, in the July 22, 2009, issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, by Nettleton, et al: Background: Empirically derived dietary patterns show strong cross-sectional associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Objective: We investigated associations between dietary patterns and risk of incident CVD in 5316 men and women. Design: White, black, Hispanic, and Chinese adults aged 45–84 y and free of CVD and diabetes completed food-frequency questionnaires at baseline. Dietary patterns were derived by using principal components analysis. Incident CVD events (n = 207) identified over a median of 4.6 y were verified by death certificates and medical records. Results: The Fats and Processed Meat dietary pattern was associated with a greater risk (hazard ratio quintile 5 compared with quintile 1: 1.82; 95% CI: 0.99, 3.35), and the Whole Grains and Fruit dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk (0.54; 0.33, 0.91) of CVD after adjustment for demographic and lifestyle confounders. Associations between CVD and the Whole Grains and Fruit dietary pattern remained strong after adjustment for waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, or inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Data from this multiethnic cohort reinforce findings from predominantly white cohorts, ie, that "healthy" and "unhealthy" dietary patterns empirically exist and that these patterns are important lifestyle predictors of CVD incidence. -Steve Hi, Jim. I’m reading “Atkins Diabetes Revolution” now. The authors would definitely tend to agree with you on grains.

Yet, I keep reading research reports touting the health benefits of grains. Here’s the latest one, in the July 22, 2009, issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, by Nettleton, et al:

Background: Empirically derived dietary patterns show strong cross-sectional associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Objective: We investigated associations between dietary patterns and risk of incident CVD in 5316 men and women.

Design: White, black, Hispanic, and Chinese adults aged 45–84 y and free of CVD and diabetes completed food-frequency questionnaires at baseline. Dietary patterns were derived by using principal components analysis. Incident CVD events (n = 207) identified over a median of 4.6 y were verified by death certificates and medical records.

Results: The Fats and Processed Meat dietary pattern was associated with a greater risk (hazard ratio quintile 5 compared with quintile 1: 1.82; 95% CI: 0.99, 3.35), and the Whole Grains and Fruit dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk (0.54; 0.33, 0.91) of CVD after adjustment for demographic and lifestyle confounders. Associations between CVD and the Whole Grains and Fruit dietary pattern remained strong after adjustment for waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, or inflammatory markers.

Conclusions: Data from this multiethnic cohort reinforce findings from predominantly white cohorts, ie, that “healthy” and “unhealthy” dietary patterns empirically exist and that these patterns are important lifestyle predictors of CVD incidence.

-Steve

]]> By: Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog » Blog Archive » Dental Problems and Chronic Systemic Disease: A Carbohydrate Connection? http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-12279 Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog » Blog Archive » Dental Problems and Chronic Systemic Disease: A Carbohydrate Connection? Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:32:11 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-12279 [...] compares and contrasts Ancel Keys’ Diet-Heart/Lipid Hypothesis with the Cleave-Yudkin Carbohydrate Theory.  In Dr. Hujoel’s view, the latest research data [...] […] compares and contrasts Ancel Keys’ Diet-Heart/Lipid Hypothesis with the Cleave-Yudkin Carbohydrate Theory.  In Dr. Hujoel’s view, the latest research data […]

]]> By: Dental Problems and Systemic Chronic Disease: A Carbohydrate Connection? « Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-12281 Dental Problems and Systemic Chronic Disease: A Carbohydrate Connection? « Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:46:19 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-12281 [...] compares and contrasts Ancel Keys’ Diet-Heart/Lipid Hypothesis with the Cleave-Yudkin Carbohydrate Theory.  In Dr. Hujoel’s view, the latest research data [...] […] compares and contrasts Ancel Keys’ Diet-Heart/Lipid Hypothesis with the Cleave-Yudkin Carbohydrate Theory.  In Dr. Hujoel’s view, the latest research data […]

]]> By: Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog » Blog Archive » Low-Carb, High-Protein Diet Causes Hardening-of-the-Arteries, IN MICE http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-14728 Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog » Blog Archive » Low-Carb, High-Protein Diet Causes Hardening-of-the-Arteries, IN MICE Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:15:24 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-14728 [...] seriously questioning the Diet-Heart Hypothesis, I’m seeing very low-carb eating in a much more favoable light, at least for overweight [...] […] seriously questioning the Diet-Heart Hypothesis, I’m seeing very low-carb eating in a much more favoable light, at least for overweight […]

]]> By: Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog » Blog Archive » Book Review: Good Calories, Bad Calories http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-16760 Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog » Blog Archive » Book Review: Good Calories, Bad Calories Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:40:34 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-16760 [...] In Part 1, Taubes examines the scientific evidence for what he calls the fat-cholesterol hypothesis.  More commonly known as the diet-heart hypothesis, it’s the idea that dietary fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol clog heart arteries, causing heart attacks.  Taubes finds the evidence unconvincing.  He’s probably right. [...] […] In Part 1, Taubes examines the scientific evidence for what he calls the fat-cholesterol hypothesis.  More commonly known as the diet-heart hypothesis, it’s the idea that dietary fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol clog heart arteries, causing heart attacks.  Taubes finds the evidence unconvincing.  He’s probably right. […]

]]> By: Saturated Fat is Bad – If You’re a Mouse! « Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-16859 Saturated Fat is Bad – If You’re a Mouse! « Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:12:28 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-16859 [...] The article author, Dr. Steven R. Smith, states the usual concern that high-fat (especially saturated fat), high-protein, low-carb diets may cause cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  He doesn’t mention the scientific evidence showing little or no role of total and saturated fat in cardiovascular disease. [...] […] The article author, Dr. Steven R. Smith, states the usual concern that high-fat (especially saturated fat), high-protein, low-carb diets may cause cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  He doesn’t mention the scientific evidence showing little or no role of total and saturated fat in cardiovascular disease. […]

]]> By: Book Review: Good Calories, Bad Calories « Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-16867 Book Review: Good Calories, Bad Calories « Diabetic Mediterranean Diet Blog Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:07:14 +0000 http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/2009/07/06/are-saturated-fats-really-all-that-bad/#comment-16867 [...] In Part 1, Taubes examines the scientific evidence for what he calls the fat-cholesterol hypothesis.  More commonly known as the diet-heart hypothesis, it’s the idea that dietary fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol clog heart arteries, causing heart attacks.  Taubes finds the evidence unconvincing.  He’s probably right. [...] […] In Part 1, Taubes examines the scientific evidence for what he calls the fat-cholesterol hypothesis.  More commonly known as the diet-heart hypothesis, it’s the idea that dietary fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol clog heart arteries, causing heart attacks.  Taubes finds the evidence unconvincing.  He’s probably right. […]

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