Do Not Fear Fat

  • Posted on: 24 July 2014
  • By: jessica

Hi All! Thank you for stopping by Spiffy Eats today! I have been sharing simple, clean eating recipes with you for a few months. However, I have yet to share any basic concepts on clean eating. So over the next few weeks, that is precisely what I will be doing! Today we will cover the first point: Do not fear fat: Our bodies need fat. Choose grass-fed butter and organic coconut oil for cooking. Let me share some information with you.

healthy fat, free range chicken, kindness, grass-fed butter

Recent research is now showing that the formerly thought connection between heart disease, cholesterol and saturated fat may not be accurate. In actuality, saturated fats may improve the blood lipid profile two ways. First, by raising the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Second, by actually changing the LDL cholesterol (associated with heart disease) from small and dense LDL to large LDL, which has been proven to be benign and not linked to heart disease.

Wow! So grass-fed butter is not going to cause me to be at a higher risk for heart disease? That is correct. It even raises the levels of good cholesterol. No need to fear that!

Excessive Inflammation has been linked to heart disease. “Butter is a great source of a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate, which helps fight inflammation.” Authority Nutrition.

Grass-fed butter helps fight excessive inflammation in the body. How exciting and not even a little scary.

Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin K2 are in higher concentrations in grass-fed cows. Folks that drink whole fat milk from grass-fed cows have a lower risk of heart disease, due to the consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin K2, compared to folks that consume milk from cows that are not on a grass diet or folks ingesting processed oils or margarines.

Let’s break this down: In nature cows consume grass.

When cows consume grass their milk has more heart disease fighting properties. 

Humans eat the butter made from that milk.

We are at a lower risk of heart disease. 

Isn’t Mother Nature fantastic?

Margarine and processed vegetable oils are a proven death trap. I remember growing up and my mom cooking with what she called “butter”. This was actually a highly processed food-like product called margarine. She was told by ad campaigns and people with good intentions that this was a better option than butter.

We now know this to be false. We should avoid these food-like products at all costs. Processed oils and margarine are rancid (especially when cooked), full of genetically modified organisms (GMO), refined, and highly processed. Studies have shown that they increase excess inflammation in the body and are linked to heart disease.

Let’s briefly move on to organic, virgin coconut oil. The benefits of this amazing oil are far too much for one blog post, so I will share a few of my personal favorites.

Coconut oil has been tested and proven to lower certain risk factors, including total LDL and HDL cholesterol. This may overall reduce the risk of heart disease. Coconut oil is filling! I add a spoonful to my coffee in the morning and make a Coconut Vegan Latte. This, in addition to my breakfast keeps me fuller longer. This super oil is also useful topically. I put it on my legs after shaving and my face in the morning and have noticed a huge difference in my skin quality. To read more about the awesome benefits of coconut oil, please check out this article evidence based benefits of coconut oil.

I hope I have shared some solid, motivating facts with you on the reasons not to fear fat! I hope you will begin to incorporate more healthy fats into your diet through simple recipes, like my homemade butter here http://spiffyeats.com/uncategorized/diy-butter! Have a great weekend!

Here is a video link that shares more details about the break down of cholesterol and how we may benefit from ingesting real fat that occurs in nature.

http://time.com/2861540/fat-and-carbs-diet-guidelines/ 

Sources:

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2010/01/13/ajcn.2009.27725.abstract

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/108/16/1917.long

http://authoritynutrition.com/grass-fed-butter-superfood-for-the-heart/

http://www.realfoodwholehealth.com/2011/01/why-vegetable-oils-are-dangerous-to-your-health/

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Comments

Jess you know your aunt Cindy don't like no fu fu stuff but because of your blog I really want to get healthy. I just wish you lived closer so you could cook for me. Love this blog. Keep up the good work.

You are so sweet! If I am helping you think about what you eat, then that is an amazing first step! I'm so proud of you for being interested in learning and open to new ideas. Thank you for supporting the blog and me!

Incredible blog, so informative. Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy reading your blogs!

Thank you! I'm glad you found the information helpful! Keep reading to see the next chapter on Free range chicken and pasture-raised eggs next week!

Awesome read! Keep up the great work.

Thank you for reading! And for the support! 

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