The Fat Truth

The truth about fats has been muddled in poor research, special interests, and now more than half a century later, an embarrassing conclusion to the human experiment we have been. In the late 1950’s Ancel Keys theorized, based on some questionable research, that saturated fats may have a leading role in heart disease. Then Nathan Pritikin pushed that into including obesity.  Actually, what Pritikin advocated was the elimination of processed foods, particularly sugar, and white flour, and to replace them with wholesome, fresh, raw foods, to include a good exercise program, and to lower fat intake. The low fat aspects were jumped on because an entire food industry could see the potential increase in market sales. This was new and exciting, and as Americans were becoming alarmed at the increase in cardiovascular disease and waist lines, they too embraced the theory.

Although the natural health populace has questioned to a degree the validity of this theory, the overwhelming push into it caused even the most astute to question their own thoughts and they too adopted the low fat craze. Now decades later, with cardiovascular and other diseases skyrocketing, obesity at an all-time high worldwide, despite a dangerously LOW intake of fats, they are going back to the roots of what they knew deep inside to be true.  We need fats.

But not all fats are the same. We’ve known that, but we’ve accused the wrong fats of being good, and the good fats of being bad. I’d like to evaluate some of the good fats that have been demonized, and are now enjoying a rapid comeback.

Butter. Nothing is quite like butter. It has many nutritional benefits. Butterfat contains short, medium and long chain fatty acids (FA’s). Short-chain FA’s protect us from pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeasts and are used for quick energy. Medium chain FA’s are the same, plus added immune functions. Long chain FA’s are needed for making hormones and for nervous system function. Butter contains Vitamins A, D, K2 and E. It also contains a factor nicknamed the “anti-stiffness factor”.

Coconut Oil with short and medium chain fatty acids are protective, help immune function and are used by the body for quick energy. Coconut oil has received some notoriety recently because of its benefit with Alzheimer’s disease. It also appears to benefit how the body uses insulin, improves “good” cholesterol, supports thyroid function, and overall improvement to skin, hair and nails.

Lard has been used for thousands of years – especially those years before heart disease and obesity were rampant like they are now. It is one of the safest oils to heat and is a long chain fatty acid, so is used for nervous system function and hormonal health. I do not recommend using lard from commercial pigs as growth hormones, antibiotics, etc. store in the fatty tissue.

The truth about fat is we need fat. Good fat. No more avoiding “saturated fats”, but focus on healthy fats as above.

©2015 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Dr. Carling considers herself a “professional student” – she has attended more than 600 post-secondary education courses related to health and healing. Dr. Carling gives lectures here in the U.S. and internationally and has been noted as the “Doctor’s Doctor”. When other healthcare practitioners hit a roadblock when treating their patients nutritionally, Dr. Carling is who they call. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic.

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The information provided in this article or podcast should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this article or podcast. Readers/listeners should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author, but readers/listeners who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

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