PHILIPPINES – A new study from Ateneo de Manila University challenges the longstanding belief that saturated fats contribute directly to heart disease. According to the research led by Professor Fabian Dayrit and American physician Dr. Mary Newport, the seminal studies from the 1950s, which formed the basis of modern dietary guidelines, contained significant errors.
The 1953 study by Ancel Keys, which introduced the “lipid-heart hypothesis,” claimed that saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet were directly linked to increased blood cholesterol levels and heart disease. However, Dayrit and Newport argue that Keys’ conclusions were flawed, particularly in conflating saturated fats with harmful industrial trans-fats, which were commonly found in processed foods like margarine and shortening.
Their paper, published in the journal *Nutrients*, highlights how these mistaken beliefs shaped decades of dietary recommendations, diverting attention away from the actual risks posed by trans-fats. The study also critiques the widespread promotion of polyunsaturated fats like linoleic acid, commonly found in vegetable oils, which may contribute to chronic inflammation when consumed in excess.
This research calls for a reevaluation of current dietary guidelines and stresses the importance of distinguishing between different types of fats. Dayrit and Newport emphasize that trans-fats are a key contributor to heart disease, not the saturated fats in foods like meat, dairy, and coconut oil. They urge health authorities to update their recommendations based on more recent scientific evidence.
The study has been viewed nearly 5,000 times since its publication, underscoring its significance in the ongoing debate about fats and heart health.
FAQs:
Q: What did the new study from Ateneo de Manila University reveal?
A: The study questioned the accuracy of the 1950s research linking saturated fat to heart disease, suggesting that the original findings were flawed.
Q: Who conducted the new research?
A: The research was conducted by Professor Fabian Dayrit from Ateneo de Manila University and Dr. Mary Newport, an American physician.
Q: What was Ancel Keys’ lipid-heart hypothesis?
A: Keys’ hypothesis suggested that high saturated fat and cholesterol intake led to higher cholesterol levels in the blood, contributing to heart disease.
Q: What errors were found in Keys’ original study?
A: Keys mistakenly equated the saturated fats found in natural foods like meat and dairy with harmful industrial trans-fats, which are linked to heart disease.
Q: Why is this study important?
A: It calls for a reevaluation of dietary guidelines that have been based on outdated and flawed research, especially in the context of heart health and fat consumption.
Q: What should be the focus of new dietary guidelines?
A: The study suggests focusing more on the dangers of trans-fats and considering the different impacts of various types of fats on health.