Unfortunately, there are still lots of people who are duped into thinking that eating fat will make you fat and unhealthy. Supermarkets inundate consumers with non-fat and low-fat fare. Marketers and mass media perpetuate myths about saturated fat, cholesterol and fat in general as unhealthy food choices.
But here's why you shouldn't be on a low-fat diet.
From a scientific perspective, low-fat diets increase triglycerides, which are fats in the bloodstream. Higher levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream may increase the risk for heart disease.
We've been told by the media and even leading health organizations and professionals that eating fat will raise triglyceride levels. But now, science is on the side of natural-whole-food-whole-fat diets.
There have been over 10 studies recently that have proved that a low-fat diet causes the level of triglycerides to increase. Studies have yet to find that increased dietary fat increases triglycerides.
These studies will hopefully prove that fat isn't the enemy it was once -- and still largely is.
Chances are high that someone who is on a low-fat diet will be on a high-carbohydrate diet.
This kind of diet can wreak havoc on blood glucose levels. High carbohydrate diets cause wild fluctuations in blood glucose.
High levels of blood glucose causes circulatory problems and damage to the inside wall of blood vessels. A high level of blood glucose triggers the release of the hormone insulin, which is required to lower blood glucose concentrations.
Insulin enables the body’s cells to use some of the glucose, but if there is too much glucose the excess is converted into fat (triglycerides). This explains why low-fat /high-carbohydrate diets increase blood triglyceride levels.
Low-Fat Diets can also lower ‘good’ cholesterol. High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) are commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterol. In fact, HDLs are not really cholesterol. Yes, they contain some cholesterol, but they are more accurately described as a bundle of proteins, fats, cholesterol and vitamins.
The fact that HDLs carry other molecules and not just cholesterol, brings into question the whole idea of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol. Lipoproteins carry a wide range of substances to and from the cells of the
body; it is far too simplistic to designate HDLs and LDLs (Low Density Lipoproteins) as good or bad respectively, but that's for a whole other topic.
However, assuming that HDLs are ‘good’ cholesterol and a low level of HDLs increases the risk for heart disease, as is purported currently; it is of interest that a low-fat/high carbohydrate diet drastically reduces the level of HDLs.
High carb diets coupled with low-fat diets also reduce the LDL (commonly known as "bad" cholesterol) particle size.
It is now widely recognized that smaller LDL particles are associated with a greater risk for heart disease.
Interestingly, a diet that is higher in saturated fat actually increases the size of LDL particles and, thus, is a lesser risk for heart disease. However, the fact is that there has never been any convincing evidence to show that saturated fat in the diet increases cholesterol levels. There is also a distinct lack of evidence to support the idea that cholesterol itself causes heart disease.
Stay tuned for more articles in the future about saturated fat and cholesterol myths.
For more information on the truth behind cholesterol, check out a great book by Justin Smith called $29 billion reasons to lie about cholesterol. Check out a synopsis here: www.29billion.com.
Until then, please pass this on to friends and family you know who are on an unhealthy low-fat/high carb diet!
No comments:
Post a Comment