Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
nytimes.com
Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
1–10 of 88 posts
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#2A large part of the issue is that in the traditional American diet, a significant portion of fat intake is in the form of saturated fat. There is a decent amount of research showing saturated fat has inflammatory effects in the body and directly causes insulin resistance. For a long time doctors have had success encouraging patients to eat diets excluding America's primary sources of saturated fat (red meat, bacon/lard and butter).
In addition, dietary fat intake does influence triglycerides, LDL and VLDL; fairly good correlations exist between these levels and heart disease. It is only recently we have discovered that sub-types of these particles exist, and not all of them have the same impact on health. Additionally, the knowledge that excess carbohydrate intake can actually have a larger impact on these levels is somewhat more recent.
The bias against mono- and poly- unsaturated fats given all the research that exists on their beneficial health effects is still bat-shit crazy, though.
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#3Because fat is good for the brain and for the body (it makes you slim and a fast thinker) whereas carbs are the opposite - obese people have 8% less brain tissue.
The government wants dumb unhealthy people that depend on it so it can perpetuate its existence.
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#4The federal government isn't afraid of fat, but carbs, most extensively from corn and corn syrup, are a huge industry in the US, and the agriculture industry is a massive lobby. Politicians aren't going to tell you to eat fats not sugars when your sugar addiction is keeping them in office.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/11/why-our-food...
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#5A large part of the issue is that in the traditional American diet, a significant portion of fat intake is in the form of saturated fat. There is a decent amount of research showing saturated fat has inflammatory effects in the body and directly causes insulin resistance. For a long time doctors have had success encouraging patients to eat diets excluding America's primary sources of saturated fat (red meat, bacon/la…
You're spreading a bit of misinformation here about the nature of saturated fats. The evidence that specifically saturated fats impact insulin resistance is very weak - the change was very low in the studies that took place, and there was no control group in the studies.
More recent studies, which generally don't get the same level of publicity, found no correlation between the two (though do confirm the adipose inflammation relationship):
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#6Heh. I switched to a high fat, moderate protein, almost zero carbohydrate diet back in April and lost 40 lbs so far.
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#7Fat is calorie dense. There's ~380 calories per 100g of sugar but 880 calories per 100g of olive oil.
70% of the US population is overweight. Being overweight is bad for you.
If your diet contains a lot of fat, you're consuming more calories than if you substituted the fat with something else (e.g. by avoiding deep fried foods, and eating leaner meat).
If you are not overweight, then feel free to eat as much fat as you like, but know you are unusual.
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#8A large part of the issue is that in the traditional American diet, a significant portion of fat intake is in the form of saturated fat. There is a decent amount of research showing saturated fat has inflammatory effects in the body and directly causes insulin resistance. For a long time doctors have had success encouraging patients to eat diets excluding America's primary sources of saturated fat (red meat, bacon/la…
I'm having trouble with your comment. Do you mind expanding on it? It seems like you are against both saturated fats and carbs. Is that correct?
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#9The federal government isn't afraid of fat, but carbs, most extensively from corn and corn syrup, are a huge industry in the US, and the agriculture industry is a massive lobby. Politicians aren't going to tell you to eat fats not sugars when your sugar addiction is keeping them in office. http://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/11/why-our-food...
This. As always with politics, follow the money!
Re: Why Is the Federal Government Afraid of Fat?
#10Fat is calorie dense. There's ~380 calories per 100g of sugar but 880 calories per 100g of olive oil. 70% of the US population is overweight. Being overweight is bad for you. If your diet contains a lot of fat, you're consuming more calories than if you substituted the fat with something else (e.g. by avoiding deep fried foods, and eating leaner meat). If you are not overweight, then feel free to eat as much fat as y…
Once upon a time I did the ketogenic diet which bases the bulk of your daily calories from healthy natural fat. No carbs allowed except for carbs from fiber. I, along many other people who have did this diet have lost a lot of weight.
It's simply not true that you can't lose weight by eating primarily fatty foods.