Low fat diets - where did this idea come from?
Already in the 1960s a high intake of fat, in particular saturated fat was associated with heart disease. This was due to saturated fat being linked to having raised LDL cholesterol which in turn was/still is seen as the "bad" cholesterol. However, without going into any detail about cholesterol and how and where it is dissolved, let me just say that there is no "good" or "bad" cholesterol.
Nevertheless, the whole idea behind a low fat diet came from the fact that it was the cause of heart disease, which as matter a fact has never been proven, but came on the background of observational and cohort studies. Yet, these methods of not only collecting data, but also analysing it means limitations and perhaps even research bias. Randomised controlled trials are at any point in time the best method for investigating causality although it still might be difficult to identify the exact cause as you can not eliminate the fact that there always will be confounding variables such as genetics and to a certain extent the environment which are hard and even impossible to control.
Therefore, the fact that today's society is build up around myth's and "poor" science is frustrating. Especially, since there is so much evidence to suggest that saturated fat is not bad for us and that LDL cholesterol levels have nothing to do with one's intake of saturated fat.
So, why is it that the government in their healthy eating guidelines still preach "low fat" and to avoid saturated fat?
It is a question that still remains to be answered..
However, what we do know from abundance of research is that carbohydrates is the "bad" guy and not fat or even saturated fat.
Carbohydrates
To recap from my last article.. Carbohydrates are basically sugar which causes an increase in insulin levels. When insulin levels are raised only carbohydrates can be used as fuel/energy which in turn prevents our fat stores from being used.
As Gary Taubes writes:
"If energy goes into the fat tissue faster than it comes out, the energy stored in the fat tissue has to increase."
Having said that, a lot of people are still of the belief that we need carbohydrates as an energy source and especially for our brain. However, this is a common misconception and I would like to make it clear that this isn't true. Research suggests that when we consume a limited amount of carbohydrates, the molecules called ketone bodies are synthesised by the liver and used as energy for the central nervous system and brain. In addition, when no carbohydrates are consumed, the body is clever enough to obtain/develop energy from ketone bodies as well as other sources such as glycerol and glucose.
Additionally, we know from research and anecdotale reference that tribes such as the Inuits, the Pima Indians and the Masai's for a long time and to an extent still eat limitied or no carbohydrates, but to a much greater degree live on high fat and protein. Yet, they are still alive and report of no ill health. So, where is this evidence to suggest that fat and in particular saturated fat is bad for us?
Paleo diet
Over the last couple of years, the word "Paleo" has become more and more used and well-known, in particular among people interested in eating healthily and wanting to lose weight. It has almost become the new trend in "dieting", just as the Atkins Diet in the 70′s when it first came out. However, the Paleo diet is not a "new" diet, but a diet based on the presumed diet of our ancestors who consumed high amounts of wild animals and plants mainly consisting of: meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, seasonal fruits, nuts and roots. Please note, there is no mentioning of dairy products, refined sugar, processed oils, grains or potatoes.
Also, anectodale evidence suggests that people feel better, less lethargic and lose weight when consuming less carbohydrates and instead consume higher amounts of fat and protein. However, people are individuals and therefore, "no diet fits all". On the other hand, I would say that the majority of people would benefit from eating less carbohydrates and relying more heavily on fats and protein, and yes, even saturated fat!
Anna
Already in the 1960s a high intake of fat, in particular saturated fat was associated with heart disease. This was due to saturated fat being linked to having raised LDL cholesterol which in turn was/still is seen as the "bad" cholesterol. However, without going into any detail about cholesterol and how and where it is dissolved, let me just say that there is no "good" or "bad" cholesterol.
Nevertheless, the whole idea behind a low fat diet came from the fact that it was the cause of heart disease, which as matter a fact has never been proven, but came on the background of observational and cohort studies. Yet, these methods of not only collecting data, but also analysing it means limitations and perhaps even research bias. Randomised controlled trials are at any point in time the best method for investigating causality although it still might be difficult to identify the exact cause as you can not eliminate the fact that there always will be confounding variables such as genetics and to a certain extent the environment which are hard and even impossible to control.
Therefore, the fact that today's society is build up around myth's and "poor" science is frustrating. Especially, since there is so much evidence to suggest that saturated fat is not bad for us and that LDL cholesterol levels have nothing to do with one's intake of saturated fat.
So, why is it that the government in their healthy eating guidelines still preach "low fat" and to avoid saturated fat?
It is a question that still remains to be answered..
However, what we do know from abundance of research is that carbohydrates is the "bad" guy and not fat or even saturated fat.
Carbohydrates
To recap from my last article.. Carbohydrates are basically sugar which causes an increase in insulin levels. When insulin levels are raised only carbohydrates can be used as fuel/energy which in turn prevents our fat stores from being used.
As Gary Taubes writes:
"If energy goes into the fat tissue faster than it comes out, the energy stored in the fat tissue has to increase."
Having said that, a lot of people are still of the belief that we need carbohydrates as an energy source and especially for our brain. However, this is a common misconception and I would like to make it clear that this isn't true. Research suggests that when we consume a limited amount of carbohydrates, the molecules called ketone bodies are synthesised by the liver and used as energy for the central nervous system and brain. In addition, when no carbohydrates are consumed, the body is clever enough to obtain/develop energy from ketone bodies as well as other sources such as glycerol and glucose.
Additionally, we know from research and anecdotale reference that tribes such as the Inuits, the Pima Indians and the Masai's for a long time and to an extent still eat limitied or no carbohydrates, but to a much greater degree live on high fat and protein. Yet, they are still alive and report of no ill health. So, where is this evidence to suggest that fat and in particular saturated fat is bad for us?
Paleo diet
Over the last couple of years, the word "Paleo" has become more and more used and well-known, in particular among people interested in eating healthily and wanting to lose weight. It has almost become the new trend in "dieting", just as the Atkins Diet in the 70′s when it first came out. However, the Paleo diet is not a "new" diet, but a diet based on the presumed diet of our ancestors who consumed high amounts of wild animals and plants mainly consisting of: meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, seasonal fruits, nuts and roots. Please note, there is no mentioning of dairy products, refined sugar, processed oils, grains or potatoes.
Also, anectodale evidence suggests that people feel better, less lethargic and lose weight when consuming less carbohydrates and instead consume higher amounts of fat and protein. However, people are individuals and therefore, "no diet fits all". On the other hand, I would say that the majority of people would benefit from eating less carbohydrates and relying more heavily on fats and protein, and yes, even saturated fat!
Anna
My name is Anna Kristensen and I'm the founder of Global Future
Fit which is a residential summer weight-loss camp for children, teens
and young adults aged 11-21 years in the UK.
Global Future Fit is however no fat camp. It is an educational and fun camp that builds the foundation for a healthier and happier life.
If you would like to know more about us, please visit our website: http://www.globalfuturefit.com or contact me directly at anna@globalfuturefit.com.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Kristensen
Global Future Fit is however no fat camp. It is an educational and fun camp that builds the foundation for a healthier and happier life.
If you would like to know more about us, please visit our website: http://www.globalfuturefit.com or contact me directly at anna@globalfuturefit.com.
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