As reported in the New York Times (2.20.15), a nutrition advisory panel that shapes U.S dietary advice eased some of the previous restrictions on fat and cholesterol, while at the same time recommending Americans lower their consumption of sugar.
Be still my beating heart. For many years, I have been writing and lecturing about the idiotic cholesterol and fat guidelines that the Powers-That-Be have been espousing. Over 30 years ago, we were told to eat less fat and cholesterol in order to lower our risk from dying from cardiovascular disease. During that same time we were encouraged to increase our consumption of carbohydrates in the form of grains and bakery products. We followed the Powers-That-Be’s advice and guess what? Our health has worsened. During the time we lowered our fat and cholesterol intake, we suffered with more obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
You would think that the Powers-That-Be would base their recommendations on evidence-based medicine. Well, you would think wrong. There was never any good evidence that we needed to lower our fat and cholesterol intake and substitute it for more refined carbohydrates in the form of grains. In fact, there was strong evidence that adjusting our diet the way the Powers-That-Be wanted us to would result in exactly what happened—more obesity, diabetes, and heart disease than we know what to do with.
You might think, “Who cares what a U.S. advisory dietary panel states?” That is probably a good thought process, but their recommendations are important because they affect the school lunch programs and how the U.S. Government runs food assistance programs.
Of course, you can’t expect the Powers-That-Be to get everything right. The same advisory panel stated that the vegetarian diet is a healthy diet. However, there is no good data to support a vegetarian diet as a healthy diet. They still maintain the wrong stance to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fats found in vegetable oils. Most vegetable oils contain toxic trans fatty acids and are nutritionally-depleted products. Vegetable oils do not withstand heating as it turns the oils rancid. Coconut oil, full of healthy saturated fat, is a better choice for cooking. The saturated fat found in coconut oil holds up well when it is heated. And, coconut oil helps people to lose weight.
We are in the obesity health crises, in part, because of past U.S. Government’s dietary recommendations. A healthy diet should consist of unrefined foods including sources of unrefined sugar, flour, salt, and oils. A varied diet that supplies adequate amounts of nutrients including fat and protein can improve any health condition. More information on a healthy diet can be found in my books, “The Guide to Healthy Eating,” and “The Skinny on Fat.”
And, I have a new book that was just sent to the printer last week: The Statin Disaster. This book will discuss the myths and truths about dietary cholesterol and statin medications. I will be writing more about The Statin Disaster soon.
DrB
On Pritikin, I knew him: He talked about carbs “burning clean” and had his patients out aerobic walking, lots of it every day. He said that 6 ounces of meat or fish a week was adequate. He originally advocated the zero fat diet which didn’t work, went to 10 percent with virgin olive oil being superior. His meals were balanced, with complex carbs rather than sugar fortified foods, lots of greens. It works, try it.
Cholesterol itself may not be a problem, but high homocysteine levels and high iron levels can be very dangerous. Healthy Homocysteine levels should preferably be below 6 but at least below 10. Healthy Ferritin levels that measure iron stores in the body should be 100 or lower. 150 and higher is iron toxicity. For this reason, I think it is important not to encourage a very high red meat intake as this could lead to iron toxicity, particularly for men and older women.
my sister is younger than I am she is (58) and she became a vegan 20 years ago; I personally feel as a result of taking so many nutrients and fats from her diet, she is now has alzheimers at the age 58.
My cholesterol is 389 and I am on Lipitor. Because it is so high, I still should be on a statin right?
Chellie,
I suggest reading my new book, The Statin Disaster, then writing me back with your decision.
DrB
How does this story effect how Doctors use Cholesterol total reference range of 100-199 or LDL 0-99 reference range on a blood test, before they start prescribing Statin drugs? Is it your opinion these levels should be raised as well, to slow the statin over use?
James,
There is no reason for any guideline when it comes to cholesterol levels. Slow statin use? I say stop statin use. They should be pulled from the marketplace as they fail 96.5-99% of those who take them and they are associated with too many serious adverse effects.
DrB
How low is too low for cholesterol?
Judy,
There is no concrete answer here. However, a middle-aged cholesterol level less than 130mg/dl may be too low.
DrB
Doc,
Absolutely correct response to government meddling.
And it is not just sugar it is corn sugar that is causing the obesity. Dr. Wendel Fleet, an nephrologist, (sp?) has this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xo7jsY6tSQ (there are 4 parts to his talk)
Basically he says that the brain does not recognize that corn sugar has been consumed. Cain sugar gives feedback to our brain so we know when to stop.
You disappoint me Dr brownstein and would hope you correct the statement that there is no evidence that a vegetarian diet is a healthy diet! I am not advocating anyone to stop eating meat but your claim is spurious and misleading! Millions of vegetarians and vegans are leading healthy lives and outliving meat eaters as well!
Must take issue with your claim that there is no evidence that a vegetarian diet is not a healthy diet. Millions of vegetarians and vegans are leading healthy lives and outliving meat eaters as well!
Absolutely love reading validation of what you’ve been stating for years!
This is one of my favorite posts too. Thanks for taking the time to write and to include references. This is the information I tell my patients daily but they look at me like why should I believe you when just about everyone else thinks something different!
David, on Nathan Pritikin, he only live to be 70 years old. So maybe it cleared his arteries, but apparently that is the not end all to a long healthy life. He ended up acquiring leukemia and killed himself. Is there a relationship with low fat, cancer and mental health?
Terry,
The answer is yes. Having low cholesterol has been related to an increased risk of developing cancer and mental health issues such as depression and suicide.
DrB
Thank you Dr B!
Of all the different kinds of foods the “fat and cholesterol”-rich foods are probably the most critical for our total health and well-being. And if the “Powers-That-Be” wanted to cause some real “damage” then these foods would be the ones to at least confuse people about. With regards to the “U.S. advisory dietary panel” their recommendations may be “important” because of what they “affect” however, maybe the public schools are not the best place for growing children if we consider that their positively confirmed real need for the “fat and cholesterol”-rich foods are especially crucial for the child’s developing brain!
I’ve watched the numbers continually come down as far as it pertains to desirable cholesterol levels over the past 40 years and it’s clear to me most “experts” know nothing in this regard. When you broaden parameters, more people will fall within the designated range, which in turn means more prescriptions will be handed out. It’s about the almight dollar and has nothing to do with health.
Cholesterol is important for brain health and our bodies make it naturally, even when it’s not being consumed as part of our diets. I wish I could remember the source but I read recently that when the powers that be were trying to come up with a reason for heart disease, they fed cholesterol containing foods to the lab animals and, yes, their cholesterol levels went up and were the reason they developed heart disease … but that was because they were HERBIVORES! Their bodies were not made to eat/process those types of foods.
Leigh, I’m with you as far as thinking like a conspiracy theorist! I’ve researched and studied much on the pharmaceutical and mainstream medicine industries to know better and not trust anything they spew. I used to study forensic accounting and the adage is true: “follow the money”. The hidden agendas, the numerous conflicts of interests, and the corruption are appalling. The so-called findings are based on nothing but junk science. No thank you!
To Dean:
We raise our own organic, pastured meat chickens and render the very clean fat for cooking. It works really well.
Also, avocado oil (which is pretty expensive) has one of the highest smoking points (you can find that information on line) so it can be used in cooking without forming trans fats. It is also very nutritious, like avocados are. It may be that different fats are appropriate for different uses. For example, I wouldn’t use chicken fat in baking, but really like it for cooking.
I love this article and yes you have been saying this all along in your blog’s, books, e-mails. You are correct.
I beg you to write a book on drug side effects for all of us who are suffering with medications to help with conditions that
could go away with proper nutrition and holistic help.
Thank you.
Patty
Patty,
I have a book, Drugs That Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do, which describes why the most commonly used drugs cause so many problems and what natural therapies can be used in their place.
DrB
As idiotic guidelines go, will so go the statin lunacy?
Here is one link to the proposed guidelines. Dr. Brownstein has only alluded to a tiny portion of what is being suggested and what will easily be implemented under the ACA (nationalized health care). Frankly some of the recommendations are quite disturbing when it comes to an individual’s freedom to choose what is best for them. At this link there is another link you can click on that will allow you to submit comments to HHS. http://freebeacon.com/issues/feds-america-should-adopt-plant-based-diet/
Dr. Brownstein states, “more obesity, diabetes, and heart disease than we know what to do with.” What is left out of this equation is the continued lowering of various serum blood levels (sugar, cholesterol) and blood pressure numbers that have led to massive numbers of “new” patients being diagnosed with these conditions. Personally I believe the laboratory result numbers have been consistently lowered so that more people are put on medications (“kaching” for big pharma). For example, my LDH level is elevated, yet it is considerably lower than the “optimum high” level of several years ago. Secondly, I take large doses of fish oil which I have read elevate serum LDH levels. Yet what does my doctor suggest? She knows I will refuse a statin so instead she suggests red yeast rice. Has she read about the connection of fish oil to LDH? Probably not.
@ Jea: People don’t react to coconut as much as it appears. Often they are getting what APPEARS to be a reaction, when it’s actually that they finally have enough good saturated fat for their own body to start getting rid of fat-soluble toxins it’s been storing. Saying they are having a bad reaction to coconut is like saying the office building is having a bad reaction just because the construction guys are filling a dumpster out back with remodeling waste. Just part of the process.
@ Dean: Why are you even cooking so hot at all? You don’t need to take any oil that hot. Cook with water and put oils on afterwards. If lightly frying something like eggs, just keep the burner reasonable and you could use just about any oil.
@Dr. Brownstein: I love your blog articles and your candidness on everything. You are the man!
Dean, as I understand omega 3 becomes toxic at high heat, so best not use walnut oil for cooking. Can you use ghee? the larger molecules can withstand heat better without degrading to a trans fat.
I saw the Times article and the first thing I thought was Dr Brownstein is going to love this!
I have worked on eating “healthy” foods for quite a while but I’ve had trouble because I was always hungry then would ruin a good day of eating by eating bad at night to fulfill those hunger pains. I’ve had an immune problem that was very bad but CHM has significantly helped me. I just bought & read The Skinny on Fats. I’ve made many changes again & the biggest benefit I’ve experienced so far is resolving that constant “wanting to eat feeling”. I’ve also made it a mission to drink the amount of water suggested by the book. I’m not a good water drinker but it is getting easier everyday. My “system” is working exceptionally well in my opinion. I was soooo afraid of eating fats – now I thoroughly enjoy them so it makes it easy to give up the bad ones. The effort to make the foods that taste so good far out way the “quick fast” stuff that are rancid & toxic!
Can someone tell me why a Bloomfield Hills pre school deem it acceptable to give kids candy on their departure from school on a friday? I find it incredibly irresponsible given what we know today… Hope this will be more regulated in the future!
Good article and I would like to see a link for the NYT message if possible. It always boosts credibility to have citations (proper) and links posted along with the claims made.
My personal experience with using coconut oil for cooking is not the best. The problem for me comes from the lack of “coating” the coconut oil leaves on the pan resulting in food sticking at higher temps. I’ve found that walnut oil (good omega 3 source) or refined olive oil work much better and have a higher smoke point, although everyone needs to find the right fit.
Also, you may want to correct the date on the blog…it’s actually 23 Feb today 😉
I have come to the conclusion healthcare is where we are going to all be making our livings from. So the sicker they can make us without killing us, the more money and jobs generated. Maybe I am too much of a conspiracy theory minded person, but the numbers and advice never add up to actually helping us become more healthy. I think this is why they took iodine out of our bread supply. I believe it was the intentional catalyst for the pharmaceutical boom. All those new meds to “fix” our iodine deficiency health issues.
What confuses me is the Nathan Pritikin story. He advocated a diet very low in fats, sugars and salt and as far as I know his autopsy revealed his arteries where as clear as a two year old. This after practicing what he preached for over thirty years.
Yes, my daughter is showing signs of being allergic (mouth swelling and throat scratchy) plus she feels bad after eating coconut oil. What is another healthy choice for her?
Lisa,
You could try NAET–a technique to help with food allergies. http://www.naet.com.
DrB
My grandma’s diet was very simple and old fashion. Cooking oil was pork lard, which we all spread on the bread with onion little salt and pepper and mustard. That was hardly anything else to put on the bread that’s why. No one in that family died on heart diseases or cancer. Gr.-ma died at 94. I came to US at my 33 and followed pretty much recommendation for “healthy nutrition” At 60 diagnosed with prostate cancer… We are what we eat.
Yes, yes, yes, right on as always! Only beef 😉 is the current love affair with coconut. Many people are actually sensitive to it and do not know the reaction it is causing in their body.