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Originally Posted by rubicon
Experts. Gosh you can't live with them but you can't live without them. Hmmmm Oh yes you can.
The assumption was that saturated fat and cholestrol in red meat created heart disease. a recent study in the Journal Nature Medicine points to carnitine a compound found abundant in red meat and also sold as a dietary supplement and found in energy drinks. Carnitine transports fatty acids into cells to be used as energy Cleveland Clinic found that with a certain bacteria in the digestive tract converts carnitine to another metaboite called TMAO that promotes atherosclerosis.
Now we are back to what is good for the goose may or not be good for the gander. If my body does not possess that certain bacteria then it will not interfere with the proper processing of canitine to give me that energy boost.
The problem with any and all of these studies is that they are general in nature given we are dealing with billions of people with diverse eating , physical and other habits.
EVOO may not be good for goose but gander loves the taste without compromising her health. In a real life situation my gander is my wife and she does not restrict her diet. yet when she tests for cholestrol her LDL's are so low and her HDL's so high she gets a false reading of a negative nature when in fact her readings are super.
I respect and truly take heed and certainly would not throw caution to the wind for those offering advice either be they experts or people like jimbo who study such issues in detail. But one must account for the fact that even with the best intentions such issues are open for further interpretations and conclusions.
I once again default to my natural position of "moderation in all things."
I mean what good is life without a periodic bannana split, etc.
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Pooh (Quote)
Fats have become the bad guy over the years.....but not all fats are the bad guys. Bodies use fats for energy, cell building, and almost all foods, including veggies, contain fats, though in small amounts. They also are filling...we are satisfied and can go longer between feedings. Of course, ingestion of too many fats isn't good, too many calories. Too much of anything isn't good...
I haven't read the study you've mentioned, but have heard something about the conclusions drawn or seen. Each of us is unique and different from one another. We are the results of a genetic soup and react and respond to stimuli in our own biochemical way. My Dad was a big beef, chicken, egg eater. He lived to 97 years of age. His cholesterol levels were always fantastic. Mom, who lived to 88, was more of a carb eater than heavy protein. Her figures were always higher than his. My brother seems to show low cholesterol levels like Dad. My sister and I tend to be more like Mom. Guess Dad had that non-responder type of body chemistry as far as this particular reaction is concerned.
Everyone should realize that highly processed foods, sodas, sweets, etc. offer calories, often times more than we need, and excess amounts of sugars, salt, and simple carbs that can adversely impact blood sugar levels. Moderation is the key as well as knowing how your body reacts and responds to foods. We are adults and have lived in our bodies for many years. Learning to eat correctly for your body chemistry is an ongoing process. We do not live without cellular change. Some is due to aging, some the result of environment, food intake, stress, so we should do our best to monitor ourselves, within limits. Personally, I think a hot fudge sundae every now and then is fun, delicious and satisfying.
No offense to those who are on much more strict food regimens....food is only one part of life and in addition to providing me with energy, I want more of a variety. Strictly plant based doesn't work well for me.....emotionally as well as biochemically.
Damnation, I'd better get off of my soapbox now and get some breakfast....an egg, yogurt, fruit, one small slice of bacon and toast. (quote)
Pooh (quote)
A little chemistry about what goes on.....
The body uses saturated fatty acids mainly as a source of energy, but also as a building material (cell membranes). It obtains them either directly from food, or by conversion from sugars and starches. It is only when the level of saturated fatty acids in the body becomes excessive that they become a health problem. And this occurs when the rate of their absorption/conversion is higher than the rate at which the body burns the excess for energy.
Obviously, the key is in balancing your saturated lipids and carbohydrate intake with your physical activity.
Another common scenario of excess saturated fats intake being unhealthy over-consumption of animal fats from meats, eggs or dairy. Here, it is not saturated fats themselves, but the accompanying animal-made unsaturated fatty acid - arachidonic acid, also made by our own bodies - that does the harm. It is metabolized by the body to pro-inflammatory 2 Series prostaglandins and leukotrienes, more so when Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid intake is low. These prostaglandins also make blood platelets more sticky, further promoting their aggregation and clot formation. (quote)
Excellent posts.