Dr Mercola writes: One of the biggest problems in
the discussion regarding saturated fats and cholesterol is that the medical
community hasn't explained it to the public very well, probably because there's
a lot of confusion on the part of this collective majority.
The fact is, even though it may raise cholesterol,
your lipid profile may actually improve when you eat more saturated fat,
especially when you cut the amount of carbohydrates you consume, according to
Dr. Aseem Malhotra, an interventional cardiologist consultant at Croydon
University Hospital in London.
Saturated fat not only increases your HDL, it also
increases large, fluffy LDLs, which is what you want. On top of that, LDL has
been grossly exaggerated as a risk factor for heart disease, with the exception
of people who have a genetic abnormality. Malhotra notes:
"The
mantra that saturated fat must be removed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease has dominated dietary advice and guidelines for almost four decades.
Yet scientific evidence shows that this advice has, paradoxically, increased
our cardiovascular risks.
Furthermore,
the government's obsession with levels of total cholesterol, which has led to
the overmedication of millions of people with statins, has diverted our
attention from the more egregious risk factor of atherogenic dyslipidaemia [elevated
levels of triglycerides and small-dense LDL and low levels of HDL cholesterol]."
Interestingly, many of the scientists who are noting
the increase in egg consumption and its role in causing "high
cholesterol" talk about saturated fat as if it's still an enemy. Body and
Soul explains:
"The
truth is that cholesterol is a very important part of the body — and an
essential element to good health. It is a structural molecule that is an
essential part of every single cell membrane. It is used to make steroid
hormones such as testosterone, (estrogen) and cortisol; helps your metabolism
work efficiently; and produces bile acids, which helps the body digest fat and
absorb important nutrients. The truth is, without cholesterol we wouldn't even
exist.
Article Source: Dr Mercola at Mercola.com
