Heart HealthSaturated Fat Not Linked to Heart Disease – What Do You Think?
The latest research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that saturated fat is not linked to heart disease as we’ve always been told. This latest study was a meta-analysis and did not find significant evidence linking dietary saturated fat with increased risk of heart disease.
A meta-analysis combines the results of several studies completed with similar theories. In this particular analysis, 21 studies were compared in regards to dietary fat and heart disease risk. I do like meta-analysis results, because they can provide a big picture look at the overall findings. However, there are weaknesses.
Here are three known weaknesses:
- Reliance on published studies – Studies that do not show significant results have difficulty getting published.
- Subjective study selection – A meta-analysis may include studies with a poor design, which can skew results inaccurately. The studies included in a meta-analysis are a subjective choice made by the researchers – they decide which ones make the cut.
- Simpson’s Paradox – This deals with statistics and how study results are interpreted. There are different ways to measure results and there is no one agreed upon measurement method, which is of particular importance in the field of medicine.
Why am I sharing this information with you?
Tired of changes that don't last?
Because the results of this latest meta-analysis are interesting, but I do not recommend you throw out your olive oil and replace it with lard. It’s likely saturated fat does not deserve the “bad rap” it has received; however, that doesn’t mean excess amounts are good. Everything comes back to moderation.
Please let me know what you think by adding a comment below.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
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