You should not be surprised by the latest three studies showing that low-fat diets do not prevent breast or colon cancers or heart attacks (Journal of the American Medical Association, Feb 8, 2006). These studies were designed several years ago when a lot of people believed that all fats were bad. They did not test the newer diets such as the Mediterranean diet, which recommend eating good fats and avoiding the bad ones. You should restrict the bad saturated and partially hydrogenated fats, not the good omega-3 and monounsaturated fats. Even if you restrict the bad fats, your diet will be unhealthful unless you also restrict the bad refined carbohydrates and eat lots of the good carbohydrates found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
The main reason that these studies failed to show protection from cancer and heart attacks was that the women on the low-fat diets did not lose weight. That means that they did not eat fewer calories, even though they were instructed to avoid the most concentrated sources of calories. Heart attacks and cancers are associated with excess weight, and many scientists feel that inflammation explains the link. When germs get into your body, your immunity calls out cells and proteins to kill them. However, if your immunity remains active, it attacks and damages your own body to increase risk for heart attacks, strokes and cancers. We now know that full fat cells, as well as lymph nodes, produce the proteins of immunity and cause inflammation.
If you're trying to lose weight or maintain a healthful weight, reduce your intake of fat found in fatty meats, chicken, dairy products, oils, margarines, fried foods and fatty bakery products; and refined carbohydrates found in sugar added foods, bakery products and pastas. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and other seeds, and of course, get plenty of exercise.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
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