The effect of saturated fat intake on cardiovascular disease is not a straight line. A lot of times people will imagine that something that might have detrimental effects at a certain dose might be just a linear effect. That does not seem to be the case for saturated fat. So it's very important to bear this in mind and make sure that we're looking at the active range of the distribution. It's only when you compare high to low or high-ish to low-ish that it crosses that critical threshold of effect, that's when you see the effect.
Episode #243. It’s time to face the facts on saturated fat. Dr Gil Carvalho returns to examine a bold new study on this controversial topic, breaking down whether you need to reconsider your food choices in the wake of this study’s release.
We discuss:
- Intro (00:00)
- Saturated fat misunderstandings: Is saturated fat bad? (17:20)
- Principle 1: Dose matters? — How much saturated fat is too much? (22:07)
- Is no saturated fat the goal? (30:12)
- Principle 2: Replacement nutrient matters (31:54)
- Principle 3: Source matters (45:53)
- Mechanisms: Saturated fat and heart disease (50:48)
- Saturated fats and genetics (55:47)
- Target ApoB level (59:40)
- Importance of lifetime exposure (1:03:02)
- Statins and heart disease risk: Are statins bad for you? (1:08:53)
- Mendelian randomization studies (1:10:52)
- The totality of evidence (1:15:59)
- Saturated fats and total mortality (1:17:46)
- Saturated fat and liver health (1:19:51)
- Gaps in the research (1:20:43)
- Common arguments against lowering saturated fat (1:23:52)
- Outro (1:38:36)
To explore more of Dr Gil Carvalho’s work, you can find him on YouTube. You can also connect with him on Twitter and Facebook, and listen to our previous conversation in Episode #207.
Discover more insights and supporting studies in the full show notes.
Enjoy, friends.
Simon
Want to support the show?
The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family.
Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill
Author of The Proof is in the Plants
Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify
Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide
Download my complimentary
two-week meal plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book