• Before 1920, CHD was rare in America. But in the next 40 years, it rose dramatically, so much so that by the mid-50s, CHD was the leading cause of death among Americans. Today CHD causes almost 40% of US deaths.

If saturated fat were to be the cause of CHD, one would have expected to find a corresponding increase in animal fat in the American diet. In fact, the reverse is true. During the 60-year period from 1910 to 1970, the proportion of animal fats in the American diet dropped from 83% to 62%, and butter consumption plummeted from 18 pounds per person per year to four.

Yet during the same period, the proportion of dietary vegetable oils in the form of margarine, shortening, and refined vegetable oils increased about 400%! In addition, the consumption of sugar and processed foods increased about 60%.

• We need cholesterol in our diet to make hormones and new cell membranes. Mother's milk provides a higher proportion of cholesterol than almost any other food. It also contains over 50% of its calories as fat, much of it is saturated fat. Both cholesterol and saturated fat are essential for growth in babies and children, especially the development of the brain. So if saturated fat is so bad for us, why is it in mother's milk?  

• Many might attribute the good health and longevity of the Japanese to a low-fat, low cholesterol diet. However, the notion that their diet is low in fat or cholesterol is a myth. Traditional Japanese diet contains moderate amounts of animal fats from eggs, chicken, pork, beef, organ meats, and seafood.

Moreover, with the Japanese' fondness for shellfish, they probably consume more cholesterol than most Americans. What they don't consume a lot of is refined vegetable oil and processed foods. When the Japanese started introducing vegetable oil and processed foods into their diet, CHD mortality rates increased.

• The French diet is loaded with saturated fats from butter, cheese, cream, eggs, liver, and meats. Yet the French have a lower rate of CHD than all western countries.

One might argue that it is their liberal consumption of red wine. But Italians, who don't consume as much saturated fats in their diet but have a per capita red wine consumption similar to that of the French, have far higher CHD mortality rates. This further demonstrates that saturated fat is not the culprit. 

If you would like to read more in-depth research regarding this subject, check out the following resources:

The Real Culprit For CHD
 
The real culprit for CHD is inflammation derived from free radical damage of tissues and organs.

Causes of inflammation include:

• Eating foods made with hydrogenated vegetable oils and trans fatty acid (e.g. baked goods such as cookies and pastries, deep fried foods such as doughnuts, fried chicken, and French fries) 

• Having too much omega-6 fatty acid (N6) and too little omega-3 fatty acid (N3) in diet. Ideal ratio of N6/N3 is between 1:1 and 4:1. Standard American diet can be as high as 50:1. Although our body needs to obtain both omega-3 and 6 from our diet, excess omega-6 can promote inflammation in the body.

• Having high blood sugar from eating too much sugary foods, soft drinks, juices, and grains, in particular, the refined type

• Eating foods cooked at very high temperatures

• A sedentary lifestyle

• Smoking

• Stress      

The Dangers Of Trans Fatty Acid In Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils

• Vegetable oils made from canola, corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, and sunflower are the worst oils to cook with because they are highly unstable and reactive.

• During the hydrogenation process that involves heat, oxygen, and moisture, the vegetable oils become rancid.

• Trans fatty acids, formed during the hydrogenation process, cause free radical damage to tissues and organs and increase the likelihood of developing CHD.

• These vegetable oils are high in omega-6, which promotes inflammation in the body.  

The Benefits Of Saturated Fats
 
The much maligned saturated fats are not the cause of our modern diseases. In fact, they play many important roles in the body chemistry. Saturated fats:

• Constitute more than 50% of the cell membranes, providing the cells stiffness and integrity

• Enhance calcium absorption

• Enhance immune system

• Lower lipoprotein (a) in blood, a risk factor for CHD

• Protect against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract                                                                         

• Avoid hydrogenated vegetable oils and trans fat. Reduce consumption of processed foods.

• Include in your diet small amounts of saturated fats from animals fed a natural diet.

• Your best oil/fat for cooking are virgin coconut oil, organic butter, organic ghee, and extra virgin olive oil.