Should We Give Fats a Break?

Importantly, the brain has highest concentration of cholesterol in the body. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that cognitive function improves when statin drugs (which reduce cholesterol in the blood) are suspended.

“Give eggs a break.” This was an advertising campaign that ran in the 1990s. An egg was playfully shown being put in an electric chair, ready to undergo punishment for being a killer in society. At the last minute, however, the executioner receives a phone call from the governor and the egg is pardoned. Eggs were declared to be lower in cholesterol than previously thought and were therefore considered safe to consume in moderation. Saturated fat then became the primary villain in its place. But how bad are fats for you really, and are saturated fats the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes? Let’s take a look.

A good place to begin is with an examination of a clogged artery. To the surprise of many, an evaluation of the buildup within an artery reveals that only 26% is composed of saturated fats. The remaining 74% is unsaturated and is mostly comprised of polyunsaturated fats such as canola, corn, safflower, and vegetable oils, common ingredients in modern diets. So, if saturated fats are not the main source of clogged arteries, is it possible that they are, in fact, beneficial?

Saturated fats constitute at least 50% of cell membranes and give them the necessary form and rigidity to enable proper function. In addition, they help integrate calcium into the bones and skeletal system and help protect the liver from toxins. Unfortunately, however, modern society has substituted traditional sources of saturated fat such as butter, ghee, animal tallow, and coconut oil with the polyunsaturated fats mentioned earlier.

“Cholesterol is a precursor (a basic building block) to many essential bodily processes…”

One of the main problems with this is that polyunsaturated fats become oxidized or rancid when heated, forming free radicals- highly reactive molecules which damage the body tissues they come into contact with. Free radical damaged blood vessels form plaques and damaged skin tissue can lead to premature wrinkles and aging. Interestingly, this second symptom was also observed by a plastic surgeon who conducted a study in which he examined the diet of his patients and took note of the correlation between the foods they were consuming and the condition of their skin. He found that those who had a diet high in vegetable fat had 78% more facial wrinkles and often appeared to be 20 years older than they really were.

Like the egg in the TV commercial, cholesterol is the assumed partner in crime of saturated fat and needs to be let off the hook. For one, cholesterol is a precursor (a basic building block) to many essential bodily processes: hormones such as anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, immune-enhancing Vitamin D, and digestive bile salts. It also helps maintain the lining of the gut, and a cholesterol deficiency may be linked to leaky gut syndrome. Importantly, the brain has highest concentration of cholesterol in the body. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that cognitive function improves when statin drugs (which reduce cholesterol in the blood) are suspended. But does eating cholesterol in “excess” make people sick and cause the cholesterol levels in their body to skyrocket?

The Framingham heart study is a famous study that began in 1948 and analyzed data from thousands of people, looking for correlations between lifestyle changes and heart health. More than 40 years after the study began, the lead researcher stated that “we found that people who ate the most cholesterol, ate the most saturated fat …weighed the least and were the most physically active” and that “the lower the person’s serum (blood) cholesterol” was.

This conclusion is further supported by studies of native peoples in Africa where whole milk is the primary food source. Not only do the Samburu people drink almost 2 gallons of raw milk daily, but the milk from their Zebu cows contains more fat than American milk, and yet they have cholesterol levels of about 170. Similarly, shepherds in Somalia have about a gallon and a half of camel’s milk daily and have a mean cholesterol of approximately 150.

Evidently then, cholesterol and saturated fats are not harmful, and like regular exercise and sunshine exposure, they play an important role in good health.

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Zain Yamani

Zain Yamani is a classic homeopath and holistic physical therapist based out of California. To learn more about him and his services visit: www.forwardtohealth.com/zain