Saturated Fat is not the major issue
1–10 of 62 posts
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#2or better yet, "saturated fat is not an issue"
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#3Saturated fat has been demonised since the 1970s when a landmark study concluded that there was a correlation between incidence of coronary heart disease and total cholesterol, which then correlated with the percentage of calories provided by saturated fat, explains Malhotra. “But correlation is not causation,” he says. Nevertheless, we were advised to “reduce fat intake to 30% of total energy and a fall in saturated fat intake to 10%.”
It is frightening to think that such a fundamental piece of public policy is based on the "correlation is not causation" fallacious thinking.
Is there no one in power who is in the habit of actually thinking before approving actions?
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#4Saturated fat has been demonised since the 1970s when a landmark study concluded that there was a correlation between incidence of coronary heart disease and total cholesterol, which then correlated with the percentage of calories provided by saturated fat, explains Malhotra. “But correlation is not causation,” he says. Nevertheless, we were advised to “reduce fat intake to 30% of total energy and a fall in saturated…
And as the quote states, not just one correlation:
heart disease correlated with total cholesterol
then
total cholesterol correlated with saturated fat consumption
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#5carbs + saturated fat = cholesterol
choose one
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#6...refined carbohydrates and sugar in particular are actually the culprits
Adopting a Mediterranean diet after a heart attack is almost three times as powerful in reducing mortality as taking a statin, writes Malhotra.
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#7Saturated fat has been demonised since the 1970s when a landmark study concluded that there was a correlation between incidence of coronary heart disease and total cholesterol, which then correlated with the percentage of calories provided by saturated fat, explains Malhotra. “But correlation is not causation,” he says. Nevertheless, we were advised to “reduce fat intake to 30% of total energy and a fall in saturated…
Most things in the biological sciences are correlations, to be as precise as we are in the sciences, you have to point out that some relationship is correlational unless you specifically test for causation (which is unfeasible in most cases)...if you assume causation, even when there seems to be very little doubt as to the causative agent, your paper is going to get sent back to you by the reviewers (in most cases).
Add to that the fact that recommendations are based on erring on the side of caution, and that tight correlations do become predictors of an outcome, then you have a recipe for these recommendations. Nothing bad is going to happen by reducing saturated fat intake, for the most part, but there is a chance of it if intake is excessive, and in fact saturated fat intake is a fairly strong predictor of future heart incidents.
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#8A related pet peeve:
It's becoming difficult to find products with "all" the fat (vs "low/reduced" fat). Prime example for me: chocolate milk. It's pretty rare nowadays that I ever see anything over 1% milk used in it -- and of course the label touts the low fat formulation, but doesn't mention there's more sugar pumped in it than a can of soda.
Even if this was healthier than full-fat/less sugar chocolate milk, I'd still resent it. Chocolate milk is a treat, not a dietary staple. People should know that. Make it that way, market it that way.
But it's starting to look like it isn't healthier. Which makes the marketing more misleading and the formulation pretty ironic.
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#9A related pet peeve: It's becoming difficult to find products with "all" the fat (vs "low/reduced" fat). Prime example for me: chocolate milk. It's pretty rare nowadays that I ever see anything over 1% milk used in it -- and of course the label touts the low fat formulation, but doesn't mention there's more sugar pumped in it than a can of soda. Even if this was healthier than full-fat/less sugar chocolate milk, I'd…
I think the biggest issue is that high (saturated) fat is often combined with high carb (refined sugars, starchy foods etc).
My diet consists of high fat / low carb foods and it simply works (for me...). I've lost weight (without trying) and my energy levels are much more predictable and stable.
I never watch how much I eat because my body will naturally stop be from overeating.
Re: Saturated Fat is not the major issue
#10Saturated fat has been demonised since the 1970s when a landmark study concluded that there was a correlation between incidence of coronary heart disease and total cholesterol, which then correlated with the percentage of calories provided by saturated fat, explains Malhotra. “But correlation is not causation,” he says. Nevertheless, we were advised to “reduce fat intake to 30% of total energy and a fall in saturated…
Most things in the biological sciences are correlations, to be as precise as we are in the sciences, you have to point out that some relationship is correlational unless you specifically test for causation (which is unfeasible in most cases)...if you assume causation, even when there seems to be very little doubt as to the causative agent, your paper is going to get sent back to you by the reviewers (in most cases).…
> Nothing bad is going to happen by reducing saturated fat intake
From what I've read, it depends on what you eat instead. For example, as the article says:
"a JAMA study revealed that a 'low fat' diet showed the greatest decrease in energy expenditure, an unhealthy lipid pattern, and increased insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes) compared with a low carbohydrate and low glycaemic index (GI) diet."