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A new meta-analysis found no link between saturated fat consumption and heart disease but did find that a Mediterranean diet (41% fat) supplemented with at least 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil or a handful of nuts lowered the risk of cardiovascular events by 30% compared to a low-fat (37% fat) diet.
A Mediterranean diet consists of extra virgin olive oil, vegetables, oily fish, and nuts which contain polyphenols, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids which are known to attenuate inflammation and thought to prevent coronary thrombosis.
My feeling is that it depends on the source, since saturated fat can readily absorb (and release) the toxins ingested by the original host organism, thus passing on in the food chain. For this reason, an avocado is usually a healthier source of saturated fat than factory-farmed animal products. Some of the toxins occur in very small quantities, but we know that minuscule doses (ppm) of hormones can have dramatic effect on our bodies, why not toxins, especially those engineered to ensure shelf life? The constant onslaught from gmo, preservatives, pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, etc. is an insult to our immune system which many then incur hyperactivity (inflammation) and lead to the lifestyle diseases so common today, but largely absent from the blue zones.
This is really an editorial, and the conclusions have been widely disputed:
The Telegraph: Specialists under fire for dismissing saturated fat link to heart disease
Ars Technica: Experts: Headline-grabbing editorial on saturated fats “bizarre,” “misleading”
RTÉ: ‘What Dr Malhotra is saying is underpinned by very poor quality research, very selectively chosen.’
An important success factor of the Mediterranean diet, when eaten in the context of the Mediterranean area, is the Greek Orthodox fasting rituals: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15333159
Yet MD’s continue with the same game plan. I wonder why? Perhaps its the $34 billion in Statin sales, or the $10.6 billion in Coronary stents, or the $ 77.3 million in Coronary Bypass Surgical interventions. Just saying….:) …But after 40 years in the Cardiovascular field….I’d say its wise to follow the money…..yea..follow the money if you want to know why we continue the insanity. gallagher7113@sbcglobal.net