A new
study published in
the BMJ concludes that saturated fats
are not associated with an increased risk of death, heart disease, stroke or
type-2 diabetes. This is the latest in a long line of studies I’ve written
about that have shown that saturated fats aren’t the culprits they were once
thought to be.
Researchers
analyzed the results of 50 observational studies examining the correlations
between saturated fats and/or trans fats and increased disease risk in adults.
What they did discover is that is that trans fats were associated with an
increased risk of death, heart disease, stroke or type-2 diabetes.
The
researchers stress that these results are based on observational studies, and
more research needs to be done. The lead author of the study, Russell de Souza,
explains that they aren’t necessarily advocating a higher intake of saturated
fats, but that consuming trans fats have no health benefits and lead to a
significant risk for heart disease.
These and
other studies suggest replacing foods high in trans fats with natural, healthy
fat is found in olives and olive oil, avocado, seeds, nuts, seed and nut oils
and butters, and oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel and butter. While
the verdict is still out on the optimal intake, saturated fat, found in meats,
butter and coconut oil, poses no health risk when your carb intake is low
enough, and you are burning fat for fuel.
