Professor: Fats Should no Longer Be Demonized

(Mirror Daily, United States) – A professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine has recently argued that dietary fats are not the real culprit for weight gain and chronic disease. Bad carbohydrates which are turned into sugars by our bodies are.

Fat consumption does not cause weight gain. To the contrary, it might actually help us shed a few pounds,

Prof. Aaron Carroll wrote in his new book about fats.

The professor calls for a review of current dietary guidelines and for Americans to bring fats back into their diets. Dozens of studies have shown that people who ban fats from their diets do not lose weight. To the contrary, low-fat diets have been tied to a high risk of heart disease, heart attack, and weight gain.

A recent study that involved 135,000 adults from 18 countries showed that low-fat diets also increase the risk of early death from all causes. By contrast participants on low-carb, high-fat diets had a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and premature death.

A recent trial involving tens of thousands of women showed that low-fat diets are associated with a higher risk of breast and colorectal cancers. Heart disease was also a health risk in the low-fat group, which did not shed too many pounds either.

Our Bodies Need Fats

Prof. Carroll explained that the human body needs fat to properly function. Some vitamins and minerals can only be absorbed if they are accompanied by fat. Cell membranes, muscles, and nerve cells need fats to stay active.

People on low-fat diets are more likely to consume bad carbs and added sugar which can have disastrous effects on their health.

A meta-analysis of 50 studies which appeared in Food and Nutrition Research showed that the more bad carbohydrates a person consumes, the more likely they are to gain weight. Bad or refined carbs include white rice and white bread.
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John Birks

John holds a diploma in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He covers the technology, social media, green business, eco-travel, politics, arts culture.