I have been doing some independent research/reading on diet and in particular fats in the diets. Here is a counter-intuitive bit of information that suggests saturated fats and cholesterol are NOT generally bad.
"The cause of heart disease is not animal fats and cholesterol but rather a number of factors inherent in modern diets, including excess consumption of vegetables oils and hydrogenated fats; excess consumption of refined carbohydrates in the form of sugar and white flour; mineral deficiencies, particularly low levels of protective magnesium and iodine; deficiencies of vitamins, particularly of vitamin C, needed for the integrity of the blood vessel walls, and of antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E, which protect us from free radicals; and, finally, the disappearance of antimicrobial fats from the food supply, namely, animal fats and tropical oils.52 These once protected us against the kinds of viruses and bacteria that have been associated with the onset of pathogenic plaque leading to heart disease. "
Additional info at:The Skinny on Fats
Very interesting stuff.
"The cause of heart disease is not animal fats and cholesterol but rather a number of factors inherent in modern diets, including excess consumption of vegetables oils and hydrogenated fats; excess consumption of refined carbohydrates in the form of sugar and white flour; mineral deficiencies, particularly low levels of protective magnesium and iodine; deficiencies of vitamins, particularly of vitamin C, needed for the integrity of the blood vessel walls, and of antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E, which protect us from free radicals; and, finally, the disappearance of antimicrobial fats from the food supply, namely, animal fats and tropical oils.52 These once protected us against the kinds of viruses and bacteria that have been associated with the onset of pathogenic plaque leading to heart disease. "
Additional info at:The Skinny on Fats
Very interesting stuff.
? I tried Atkins years ago and since got wise. But you must admit Dr. Atkins, as a cardiologist, was well ahead of his time and knew that "low fat" did not equate to a healthy heart. He had a tremendous success rate with keeping his heart patients alive through diet compared to his contemporaries. And to his credit, he called the FDA's food pyramid insane (with super high carbs) and finally got them to admit it was all wrong. If he had just integrated exercise and slow carbs vice "no" carbs (well essentially none) and less saturated fat into his diet he would have had it almost completely right.
