Many consumers are just getting adjusted to the fact that our bodies need fat, just as we do protein, sodium, vitamins, and minerals. Most people are aware of the Omega 3’s, but the idea that saturated fats might possibly be good for you, sounds quite alarming. Of course, there has to be studies to back up this unusual claim. We will explore the science behind the claim to see if we should be adding more saturated fats to our diet.
Norwegian researchers performed a study for diet function (FATFUNC) at Norway’s K.G. Jebsen Center for Diabetes at the University of Bergen, to argue the latest scientific fact that saturated fats may not be the diet evils we were told they are, but instead could be a valuable part of a healthy diet. There were 38 men who participated in the trial,, all with abdominal obesity. All 38 men had diets that contained either high amounts of carbohydrates or high amounts of fat, which half was found to be saturated fats. The risk for cardiovascular disease was accurately measured during this study.
Those in the study with a very high consumption of total saturated fat were not at any higher risk for cardiovascular diseases than those whose diet contained little to none. This portion of the study was performed by Professor and Cardiologist, Otter Nygard. According to Chris Kresser L.Ac, “More evidence substantiating what I’ve talked about for years; good-quality saturated fats are an important part of a healthy diet. The study from the University of Bergen in Norway found that participants who were “on the very-high-fat diet had substantial improvements in several important cardiometabolic risk factors, such as ectopic fat storage, blood pressure, blood lipids (triglycerides), insulin and blood sugar.”
So what are we to make of this information as it concerns our every day eating habits?
The healthiest diet is always one of moderation, but the studies say that the key is also the eating of higher quality foods, regardless of the fat content and type. The FATFUNC study shows that good quality foods containing saturated fat actually raises the good cholesterol numbers (LDL). These LDL numbers tended to increase along with very high saturated fat diets, instead of those who were on more of a mixed fats way of eating. So for now, eat a wide variety of healthy, high quality foods to maintain good health. Future studies will focus on those people whose health will depend upon eating little or no saturated fats in their daily diets.