A major new study published in The Lancet called The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, led by researchers at the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Hamilton, Ont., has presented some compelling information regarding dietary fat consumption.
In the study, which involved 135,00 people from 18 countries that lasted for an average of 7 ½ years, researchers discovered that a diet where fat consisted of 35% of daily caloric intake, in addition to the consumption of fruits and vegetables, was associated with a lower risk of death, compared to diets with a lower fat intake. Consumption of dietary fats, including saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, did not contribute to major cardiovascular diseases or increased risk of heart attacks. What is interesting is that a diet high in carbs (where carbs consisted of 60% of daily caloric intake) was linked to a higher rate of death.
For the past 40 years our dietary guidelines recommended a fat intake of 30% less of daily caloric intake, which lead to this increased carb intake and additional health problems, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and diabetes, and this is very important that this research has shown this to be true on a global level.
As a life-long advocate of Atkins, this extensive study showing that an increased fat intake (including saturated fat) is beneficial is great news, because this once again means that an Atkins-style diet featuring lower carbs, moderate fat and plenty of fiber-rich vegetables and fruit has the potential to add years to your life.
