Put down the butter - that creamy goodness will kill you - or maybe not? Here is what some respected scientists had to say....
"The influence of dietary fats on serum cholesterol has been overstated," concludes a review in an American Society for Nutrition publication that, in its words, "calls for a rational reevaluation of existing dietary recommendations that focus on minimizing dietary SFAs [saturated fatty acids], for which mechanisms for adverse health effects are lacking" [1].
- Lawrence GD. Dietary fats and health: Dietary recommendations in the context of scientific evidence. Adv Nutr 2013; 4:294-302. 23674795
Indeed, argues the author, Dr Glen D Lawrence (Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY), it is likely other factors, such as oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or preservatives in processed meats, that are also present in high-SFA foods that lead to adverse health effects typically associated with high SFA intake.
In other words...
Dr. Lawerence is talking about "Trans -fats" and "Hydrogenated Fats" , which are man made (in a food laboratory) fats, which earned the phrase" Frankenfats". Also all the unnatural preservatives in food also plays a role, but NOT saturated fats.
Years ago, I went on Akins diet (and yes - it is extreme) and I dropped my cholesterol levels below 150 and about 30 pounds as well (all the while eating butter, bacon and cheese frequently - daily).
Now, I've modified my dietary habits to more of a Paleo diet, more veggies, lean meats (not processed) and limits on carbohydrates. But my diet always contained fat, including butter, and olive oil.
There are many good reasons to eat fat, but did you know these two?
- Fats are used for STRUCTURE of membranes with in cells throughout your body.
- Fats are in large quantities in your nervous system (brain and nerves) they are used as an insulator in the protective sheath around nerves.
The above are only two reason's(that you may not have been aware of) fats are good for you, there are many more - but these two illustrate my point plainly - good fat is necessary and fat is good for you.
What I advise my patients...
Fat is good, little is not bad - especially the Omega-3 fats which are essential in your diet. Don't get worried about a little butter. RUN from the trans fat and hydrogenated fats - they are just BAD FATS.
Trans and Hydrogenated are bad for many reasons. The reason I think is the worst is that these fats BLOCK the absorption of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 especially EPA/DHA are vital for nervous system function and of course during pregnancy for healthy fetal development.
Why does a Structural Chiropractor talk about dietary FAT?
This is vital to a Structural corrective Chiropractor, because we work with the foundation of health, which is your nervous system. Your nervous system not only controls EVERYTHING, and Coordinates communication down to the cellular level. Cell to cell communication. Keeping your nervous system clear of interference from structural shifts is what we focus on and I tell my patients that they have to eat good fats to maintain the building blocks necessary for strong healthy nerves.
So, it's okay to have butter - not okay to have any trans or hydrogenated fat, which is the main fat in pre-packaged foods aka crap. It's better to have olive oil and it's best to have Omega-3 EPA/DHA (found in cold salt water fish, flax, walnuts and chia seeds). Also, coconut oil is an excellent option.
Have a GREAT Day
Dr. Chris
About Advanced Chiropractic...
Advanced Chiropractic is owned and operated by Dr. Chris Chase. Dr. Chris has a direct approach to patient care with a focus on structural correction of the spine, which is a little different than conventional chiropractic care. You can read more about Advanced Chiropractic at or on Twitter or Facebook.
