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Is Saturated Fat Bad?

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Modern Dietary Fat Intakes in Disease Promotion

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Key Points

• For decades a reduction of the intake of saturated fat has been the cornerstone in dietary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The main argument for this advice is its alleged influence on blood cholesterol. However, several recent trials have found no such effect in spite of intakes up to five times higher than the recommended upper limit. Even if true, the effect on blood cholesterol is indirect evidence. The crucial question is if a high intake is harmful or if a reduction leads to health benefits. Almost all epidemiological and experimental studies are in conflict with this assumption; indeed several observations points to the opposite. There seems to be an urgent need for a revision of the present dietary guidelines.

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  1. Magle Stora Kyrkogata 9, 22350, Lund, Sweden

    Uffe Ravnskov

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  1. Uffe Ravnskov
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  1. Managing Director, DMF Ltd Company, Luxembourg Str 46, Marche/Famenne, 6900, Belgium

    Fabien De Meester

  2. Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of, Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85724-5163, Arizona, USA

    Sherma Zibadi

  3. Arizona Health Science Center, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. Room 4335, Tucson, 85724-5155, Arizona, USA

    Ronald Ross Watson

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Ravnskov, U. (2010). Is Saturated Fat Bad?. In: De Meester, F., Zibadi, S., Watson, R. (eds) Modern Dietary Fat Intakes in Disease Promotion. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-571-2_7

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