Saturated fats do not cause heart disease. I know it sounds shocking the first time you hear it. I was rather scandalized several years ago when first confronted with this theory. After all, I have a degree in home economics with lots of college nutrition and cooking classes under my belt. But there is actually no evidence that saturated fats cause heart disease. It seems to be a scary case of making the data fit a hypothesis.

In an article by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon titled “Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Research,” they argue that “for the last four decades, saturated fats have been blamed for the misdeeds of polyunsaturated fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates.” (Caution: Don’t confuse saturated fats with the awful-for-you trans or hydrogenated fats!)

The article lists the following as benefits of saturated fats:

  • essential for healthy cell membrane function
  • enhance hormone production
  • suppress inflammation
  • lower Lp(a)
  • raise good cholesterol
  • put in and conserve Omega-3 fatty acids in tissues
  • do not inhibit insulin receptors
  • enhance the immune system
  • encourage production and balance of prostaglandins

If you haven’t heard the non politically correct information about the fats we eat, it’s worth looking into. Check out westonaprice.org and eatfatlosefat.com for more info.