Let’s start with this: Saturated fat is good for you.

I know, I know, this isn’t what you’ve heard in the media or from many high profile health-types. The basic formula we’ve been taught is saturated fat = bad. This over-simplistic conclusion is based on the following logic: dietary consumption of saturated fat and the cholesterol that often comes with it leads to heart disease.

This argument is the essence of what’s called the Lipid Hypothesis, a theory proposed originally by Ancel Keys in the 1950s and eagerly adopted by nutritionists, the American Heart Association, and the medical community at large.

Trouble is, the theory was wrong. And has been proved wrong in study after study. How this incorrect theory gained such popularity and has been so difficult to shake is a story unto itself, which I’ll let Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary Enig explain in their excellent paper, The Oiling of America.

It turns out that saturated fat – yes, even saturated fat that comes from animal sources – plays many important roles in your body and health. For example:

  • It’s is a key component of your cell membranes, giving them structure. In fact, 50% of your cell membranes are made up of saturated fat.
  • It’s your heart’s preferred fuel, which is why the fat around your heart is highly saturated.
  • Certain types of saturated fats have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, and strengthen your immune system.
  • Saturated fat decreases lipoprotein (a), a factor strongly correlated to the risk of heart disease. This means saturated fat decreases your risk of heart disease.
  • Saturated fat protects your liver from damage due to medications and alcohol. Yes, that’s why after a debaucherous night the thought of a fatty meal is so appealing. Your body is protecting itself.
  • Saturated fats are very stable and thus protect highly unstable unsaturated fatty acids both outside your body (when cooking with heat) and inside your body. Further, saturated fats help your body make use of essential fatty acids.

Let’s not forget that fat makes food taste good, keeps you fuller longer, and is the source of that consistent energy we all want.

The important thing to consider when eating any type of fat, saturated or not, is its quality. Toxins accumulate in fat, so consume only those fats that come from healthy animals fed appropriate diets and living happily outdoors. Butter or meat from grass-fed cows and eggs from pastured chickens are two great examples.

CoconutTo incorporate healthy saturated fats into your diet, use them for cooking. We use butter, ghee (clarified butter), coconut oil, and occasionally lard for all our cooking. Save the olive oil and the delicate nut/seed oils for salad dressings and sauces put on the food after it’s cooked.

And most of all, enjoy it! What fabulous news that something as tasty as butter isn’t the bane of your healthful existence, but an integral part of it.

If this subject piques your interest and you’re curious to learn more, here’s some further reading I highly recommend:

The Truth About Saturated Fat by Dr. Mercola

Know Your Fats by Dr. Mary Enig

The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife

The Eat Naked Kitchen Gluten Free Guide

Get your free guide for:

*Tips for eating gluten free at restaurants
*To learn common food items that contain gluten
*A full list of foods to add in and what grains to choose instead
*Our favorite brands for gluten free foods

Check your inbox for your FREE Gluten Free Guide!

Pin It on Pinterest

Tell your friends!

If you enjoyed this post, share it with your community.