Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • Reviews
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Arnold Classic
      • Mr. Olympia
      • Results
      • 2022 WSM
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • Workouts
    • Training
    • Exercise Guides
    • Workout Plans
    • Celebrity Workouts
    • Training Programs
  • Nutrition
    • Supplements
    • Diet
    • Fasting
    • Diet Plans
    • Nutrition Tips
    • Food Facts
  • Reviews
  • More
    • CrossFit
    • News
      • Arnold Classic
      • Mr. Olympia
      • Results
      • 2022 WSM
    • Fitness Calculator
    • Profiles
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • MMA
No Result
View All Result
Fitness Volt
No Result
View All Result
Nutrition Tips

The Truth: Why You’re Wrong About Saturated Fat

Andrew Foster, C.S.C.S

Written by Andrew Foster, C.S.C.S

Last Updated onDecember 17, 2017

Saturated Fat

It has been common knowledge since the 1980s low-fat diet revolution that saturated fats should be avoided and, if possible, completely eliminated from one’s diet. In the mind of the average person, saturated fat is inextricably linked to heart disease and weight gain.

Unsaturated fats replaced saturated fats in much of our food: people began using vegetable oil instead of lard for cooking, switched from pork bacon to turkey bacon, and began using margarine instead of butter. Plant-based oils and fats are the rules now, with saturated fats regarded by many as something to consume rarely, if ever.

However, some curious questions about saturated fat remain. In some cultures, saturated fats are one of the only sources of food available.

Some Inuit tribes subsist mostly on whale blubber, comprising almost three-fourths of their diet. In one South African tribe, it is normal to eat upwards of 400 grams of animal fat every day. Neither of these groups has much of a problem with heart disease or obesity. A diet high in saturated fat was once normal for most Western people as well, but only in the past few decades have heart disease and obesity become a major public health issue. How do some people live long, healthy lives despite their diets that were high in saturated fat?

New research has suggested that saturated fat is, like many things, best consumed in moderation. Some saturated fat may be beneficial or even necessary.

Updating Common Knowledge

One of the first studies conducted on saturated fat was actually flawed, but it was popularized anyway. A five-year study of seven countries concluded that saturated fat was the cause of heart disease. The results of the study, published in 1970, did not fully fit with this conclusion. In three of the countries studied, the results did not sufficiently illustrate a definite connection between saturated fat and heart disease. The new medical “knowledge” was promoted as fact by the United States government regardless of the flawed conclusions.

Since the research was accepted and promoted by the U.S. government, weight loss experts were able to write books using this as their angle. Mass media also perpetuated the misinformation. Thirty years later, people still accept this as fact, when new research suggests otherwise.

More current research suggests that it is LDL cholesterol – low-density lipoprotein, commonly called “bad” cholesterol – that is a more reliable indicator of heart disease, as opposed to saturated fat. LDL cholesterol contributes to plaque build up in the blood vessels. Arterial plaque contributes to heart disease.

The three fatty acids found in saturated fat – stearic, palmitic and lauric acids – all have a positive effect on cholesterol. Stearic acid has no effect on cholesterol and is associated with lowered LDL levels in studies. While palmitic and lauric acids raise LDL cholesterol, they also raise HDL cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein clears away LDL cholesterol. People with levels of HDL that are higher than their LDL levels have a lower predisposition to developing heart disease.

Incorporating Saturated Fat Back Into Your Diet

Saturated fats should not be a large part of the bodybuilder’s or athlete’s diet. However, when eaten in moderation, saturated fat can help build muscle, boost immune and bone health, and maintain the health of the body’s cells.

Much of your protein should come from egg whites or lean meats such as poultry and fish. However, ground beef and steak are protein sources that contain energy-dense saturated fat. Saturated fat can also elevate testosterone levels, which promotes muscle tissue generation. This is something that can definitely benefit people interested in building muscle mass.

Stay on top of the latest fitness news and updates by adding Fitness Volt to your Google News feed: Follow us on Google News You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for even more content.
Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard LinkedIn
Categories: Nutrition Nutrition Tips
Previous Post

Video! When Picking A Fight Goes Wrong (Graphic)

Next Post

Do Girls Like Muscles on Guys?

Andrew Foster, C.S.C.S

Andrew Foster, C.S.C.S

Andrew is a highly experienced and qualified professional in the field of exercise science. He holds a Master's degree from Rutgers University and is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is dedicated to providing the latest information and expert advice on bodybuilding, training, and workout programs. In addition to his work as a journalist and researcher, Andy also offers online coaching and in-person training services. He is committed to helping others achieve their fitness goals and live healthy, active lives.

Related

Hunter Labrada

Bodybuilder Hunter Labrada Shares ‘2 Golden Rules’ of Meal Timing & Frequency

American bodybuilder Hunter Labrada rose to prominence for his insane muscle mass, size, and posing skills. In a recent video...

Bigger Abs Workout

Bigger Abs Workout and Diet Guide  

A large and growing percentage of the world’s population is overweight and getting fatter. As such, a lot of abs...

Tips For Fasting Safely

How to Get the Most Out of Your Fasting Routine [Tips from Experts]

Fasting has been a spiritual practice used for millennia to cleanse the mind and body. It has evolved beyond a...

Skinny But Belly Sticks Out

Skinny But Belly Sticks Out — Causes, Risks, and How To Fix It

Collins dictionary defines 'skinny' as an extremely thin individual, often in a way that you find unattractive. We are all...

Staying Lean Without Tracking Calories

8 Tips for Staying Lean Without Tracking Calories or Macros

Getting and staying lean is a common fitness goal. You may want to drop a few pounds and get slimmer...

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

The Rock Shares Brutal Upper Body Workout for a ‘Chest and Back Super Pump’

The Ultimate Back and Shoulder Workout For Mass & Strength

15 Best Scapular Stabilization Exercises

Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Bodyweight Workout of the Week for Building Muscle

Video: Viral TikTok Trend Shows Gym Bros Eating Dog Food for Protein

Strongman Pavlo Nakonechnyy Announces Withdrawal From 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man

Reviews

Ancheer Treadmills Review

6 Best Ancheer Treadmills in 2023 (Review & Ranked)

Best Bone Broth Supplements

10 Best Bone Broth Supplements of 2023 (Reviewed & Ranked)

Body Fortress Whey Protein Review

Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Review

Fitness Volt

At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more.

Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com

Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.

Follow Us

Trending Topics

  • Mr. Olympia
  • Bodybuilding
  • Strongman
  • Powerlifting
  • CrossFit
  • At Home Workouts
  • Bodyweight Exercises
  • Best Pre-workout
  • Best Fat Burners
  • Bodybuilding Diet
  • Bicep Workouts
  • Triceps Workouts
  • Chest Exercises
  • Back Workouts
  • Leg Workouts
  • Front Squat Guide
  • Calf Workouts & Exercises
  • Forgotten Exercises
  • Jefferson Deadlift

Calculators

  • Calorie Burning Calculators
  • IF Calculator
  • TDEE Calculator
  • Calorie Calculator
  • Keto Calculator
  • RMR Calculator
  • Macronutrient Calculator
  • Creatine Calculator
  • Wilks Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • FFMI Calculator
  • IBW Calculator
  • LBM Calculator
  • Fat Intake Calculator
  • Calories Burned Swimming
  • Calories Per Meal Calculator

  • Food Nutrition Analysis
  • Carb Cycling Calculator
  • Weight Gain Calculator
  • Weight Loss Calculator
  • Calories Burned Calculator
  • Strength Standards
  • One Rep Max Calculator
  • Body Fat Calculator
  • EER Calculator
  • Weight Loss Percentage
  • Treadmill Calorie Calculator
  • Body Surface Area Calculator
  • Running Pace Calculator
  • Bench Press Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Water Intake Calculator
  • Body Type Quiz
  • Steps to Miles Calculator
  • Calorie Deficit Calculator
  • Home
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Syndication
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Copyrights
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bodybuilding
  • Arnold Classic
  • Powerlifting
  • Strongman
  • CrossFit
  • Workouts
  • Exercise Guides
    • Arms
    • Back
    • Chest
    • Core
    • Legs and Glutes
    • Shoulders
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Reviews
  • More
    • News
    • Mr. Olympia
    • 2022 WSM
    • Diet
    • Motivation
    • Videos
    • Food Facts
    • Fitness Calculator

© Copyright 2010 - 2022 Fitness Volt IBC. All Rights Reserved.