Hania_dietitian said:It is a really interesting clip. It got me thinking and I would not agree with everything it is in there.
Firstly, about butter and margarine. As it is known, scientists have been changing their mind on this topic which option is better. It is because the answer is not simple. Currently dietitians realise that it cannot be said "eat butter" or "eat margarine" just like this. Why? Because it depends on your cholesterol level. If you are healthy and you are not at the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, the best option is to choose butter. Because margarine is full of trans-fatty acids and they are certainly very unhealthy. However, if your blood cholesterol level is already high, you should avoid butter and choose margarine in order to prevent further increase in LDL-cholesterol level.
The question appears if high cholesterol is really unhealthy? I agree with the statement that almost every cell has a lot of cholesterol, it is very important for hormone production as well as it plays a major role in transport through cell membrane. However, in here we are talking about HDL-cholesterol, not about LDL-cholesterol. We cannot say cholesterol is good or bad. We need to be specific. HDL-cholesterol is very important, but high LDL-cholesterol comes with some risks. As it was shown in the clip LDL-cholesterol is much bigger molecules than HDL. The simplest observation: if the blood vessel is narrow (for any reason, so I am not discussing here if cholesterol is really a trigger for artherosclersis), which molecule small or large will have a problem with smooth flow? Well, I think large molecule would cause problems and a large molecule is LDL-cholesterol.
What is more, there is further division of LDL particles. We have LDL1, LDL2, and LDL3. The LDL3 particles are the most atherogenic. These particles have low affinity for the LDL receptor which increases their residence time in the circulation for interaction with the arterial walls. They are particular at risk for oxidative damage. The oxidatively damages particles are easily taken up by macrophage scavenger receptors to begin the process of artherosclerosis. Moreover, LDL3 particle carry enzyme lipoprotein-associated phospholipase that have important role in artherosclerosis.
The next aspect I would mention is effect of cholesterol on gene regulation. Cholesterol has high affinity for SREBP. This is a binding protein in cell that stimulates production of lipid synthetic genes. Therefore, the largest amount of cholesterol we eat, the larger amount of genes responsible for fat accumulation. On the other hand, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have totally opposite effect. PUFAs increase production of genes responsible for usage of fatty acids, as well as decrease accumulation of fat. What is more, PUFAs improve insulin sensitivity in muscles and liver. Therefore, there is a clear evidence that eating PUFAs is beneficial for health. Maybe I am wrong, but I have never heard of study showing any benefit from eating cholesterol.
The key in here is that there are biological mechanisms supporting theory that eating PUFAs is good for us, while high level of LDL-cholesterol has negative effect on blood vessel functioning and fatty acids metabolism. It is not enough to have some observations while doing cardiovascular operations. This kind of evidence is at the lowest position in the hierarchy of evidences. Randomised controlled trials provide the most reliable evidences. This evidence must be supported by many studies, as well as it needs to be supported by biological mechanism. Then, we can say it is a good evidence.
I agree that marketing over-exaggerate many things but saying "cholesterol is not bad" is wrong as well.
Andy12345 said:do you have energy douglas? i mean low carbing zero fat, what does your body use to function?
Andy12345 said:interesting mate, i thought i had to eat fat for energy, which i do and im fine on that front, i just thought i had to
fatbird said:The Benefits of Saturated Fats
The much-maligned saturated fats—which Americans are trying to avoid—are not the cause of our modern diseases. In fact, they play many important roles in the body chemistry:
Saturated fatty acids constitute at least 50% of the cell membranes. They are what gives our cells necessary stiffness and integrity.
They play a vital role in the health of our bones. For calcium to be effectively incorporated into the skeletal structure, at least 50% of the dietary fats should be saturated.38
They lower Lp(a), a substance in the blood that indicates proneness to heart disease.39 They protect the liver from alcohol and other toxins, such as Tylenol.40
They enhance the immune system.41
They are needed for the proper utilization of essential fatty acids.
Elongated omega-3 fatty acids are better retained in the tissues when the diet is rich in saturated fats. 42
Saturated 18-carbon stearic acid and 16-carbon palmitic acid are the preferred foods for the heart, which is why the fat around the heart muscle is highly saturated.43 The heart draws on this reserve of fat in times of stress.
Short- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids have important antimicrobial properties. They protect us against harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract.
The scientific evidence, honestly evaluated, does not support the assertion that "artery-clogging" saturated fats cause heart disease.44 Actually, evaluation of the fat in artery clogs reveals that only about 26% is saturated. The rest is unsaturated, of which more than half is polyunsaturated.45
http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-f ... s#benefits
FB
Kat100 said:I don't eat fat, I aim for low fat, reduced fat, low, medium carbs, smaller portions, and a veggie diet.....
Slow steady weight loss.....it's all interesting, and we are all so different.....always lots to think about....
That's because you was thinking of cakes lol.Kat100 said:Sorry that's weight , words jumping .....
Kat100 said:Well I have always been veggie and used to have soya spread, the weight came on before I was diagnosed...3 stones for no reason I thought, nearly lost 3 stones now in one year, want to loose one more than I will look like me again, when I reach my target wright I could have a cake desperate.....
douglas99 said:I read your figures, someone quoted them in another post, and they're brilliant
Hba1c 36
Triglicerides 0.7
hdl ratio 2.8
I want my triglicerides down there, currently 1
and my ratio is 2.7,
My targets are
HDL, over 1.6, currently 1.1
LDL less than 1.6, currently 3.0
If you don't mind me asking, what is your LDL/HDL?