The Big Fat Myth

Founder, Living Valley Springs Health Retreat Since the second half of last century, dietary fats have been charged with many crimes against humanity. For decades, poor old fats have been blamed for atherosclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, increased mortality and much more. The fat family has been ostracised and condemned by the National Heart Foundation, nutritionists, health journalists and doctors.

In fact, only certain members of the fat family pose a threat to wellness and longevity. Most fats are actually essential for optimal health. Cholesterol particularly, has been maligned as public enemy number one, when in fact it is one of the most important substances found in the human body. Through fear and misinformation many people have avoided all fats, only to reap disastrous

consequences. The Nathan Pritikin (no fat) diet, for example, produced many casualties presenting with a wide range of physical and mental disorders.

It is true that some fats cause disease. The consumption of transfats such as those found in margarine has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, liver dysfunction, infertility in women and depression. Saturated fats, such as butter, have been blamed for many serious

conditions without any conclusive evidence. France, for example, with a population of 62 million, boasts the highest consumption of saturated fat per capita in the world. Yet, France has the lowest rates of heart attack, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Obesity in France is a low 7% of population, and only 11% are considered to be overweight.

In 1920, death by heart attack in the USA was insignificant and only related to natural causes in old people. Butter consumption in 1920 was 18 pounds per person per year. By 1960, it had plummeted to four pounds per person per year, while heart attacks had become the cause of 37% of deaths. According to the Baptist Ladies Cookbooks published in the USA during the late 1800s

and considered to be the standard of American cuisine, the daily consumption of

saturated fat per capita was huge. Yet, cardiovascular disease was insignificant,

and obesity was almost unknown. In those days the people ate the fat on their

meat, the skin on their chicken, several eggs per day and loads of natural butter.

The terms low fat, fat-reduced, 99% fat free etc. were unheard of. In his book

The Great Cholesterol Lie, renowned heart surgeon, Dr Dwight Lundell details

how we have been blaming the wrong food group for our health problems.

If animal fats, coconut oil, butter, cheese, cream and eggs are not the villains they

have been made out to be, then what food group is really contributing to all the

inflammation, obesity, heart disease and cancer? There are many non-food factors

including toxic dentistry, environmental influences, lack of exercise, stress etc. But

the dietary elements that threaten health and life itself are those found in sugarbased

foods and drinks, processed carbohydrates and refined vegetable oils.

In spite of their addictive nature, these foods can and should be dispensed with.

Once this is done, the consumption of good fats should be significantly increased.

You should also eat moderate amounts of protein and reduce carbohydrate intake.

As you do this over several weeks, your prime energy source will change from

carbohydrate to fats. Your metabolism will speed up, enabling you to effectively lose

weight and sustain higher energy levels for longer periods. Good fats also support

healthy brain function and decrease the risk of developing neurological diseases.

Animal fats provide significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E and K, along with lecithin,

iodine, selenium and a spectrum of health-promoting fatty acids. They satisfy the

appetite, hydrate the system, bind up fat-soluble toxins and restore balance.

In her book The Fat Revolution, Christine Cronau investigates the origin of the fat

myth, condensing a mass of literature, reputable studies and medical research.

She proves beyond any doubt that animal fats promote health and prolong

life. Many civilisations for centuries enjoyed long, healthy lives while consuming

significant amounts of saturated fat as part of a balanced diet. Yet today, in our

‘low fat’ society, our hospitals are full of people with lifestyle related diseases. If we

want to promote health and reduce the cost of medical services in this country,

the fat myth must be busted and the fat family vindicated once and for all!

02 fitness 02 fitness  02 fitness 02 fitness  02 fitness  02 fitness  by Gary Martin ND. AFAIM.    

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