A recent study conducted in Spain has been hailed by many commentators in the media as further evidence of the benefits of a Mediterranean-type diet (1). This is the PREDIMED trial in which the effects of 3 different diets were compared with respect to the incident rates of various diseases and al-cause-mortality. The participants […]
Stearic acid is a long chain saturated fatty acid which contains 18 carbon atoms. According to an article in the Daily Mail: “emerging evidence suggests not all saturated fat should be tarred with the same brush — one type of saturated fat, known as stearic acid, may actually protect the heart against disease.” (1) However
! We are continually berated with the message that saturated fat(SFA) is bad for us and that we should alter our habitual diet in order to keep consumption to a minimum. According to the official NHS website: “Eating a lot of saturated fat can increase the cholesterol in your blood. High levels of cholesterol can
It is virtually impossible to avoid the incessant advertising which proclaims the virtues of various food products which are high in PUFAs(polyunsaturated fatty acids). Invariably the message is that these are “healthy” because they will lower blood cholesterol(TC). In Blog 8 I have explained that the rationale used to support the case for reducing
The recommendations to reduce total and saturated fat (SFA) intakes have had a major impact on the pattern of consumption by the British public. When the recommendations were introduced they were re-inforced by extensive coverage in the media emphasising that fat was bad for us. This message was taken up enthusiastically by the food manufacturers
3. As Fat Consumption has Gone Down, Carb Consumption has Increased Read More »