Fat Is My Friend
Has the fat-cholesterol-heart disease hypothesis fallen apart? Discover key medical findings from the BMJ and The Lancet showing why saturated fat isn't the enemy—and why high-carb diets pose a greater risk to heart health. (Reviewed and not updated: 11th August 2026)
For the whole of 2017, I have been saying, "This looks like the year that the whole fat-cholesterol-heart disease hypothesis falls apart." Well, it looks like it has happened.
Today (writing on 1st January 2018), the annual review from Diabetes.co.uk carries three game-changing headlines:
- Saturated fat myth challenged
- High-carb diet 'increases heart risks'
- Eating low fat could increase early death risk
1. Saturated Fat Myth Challenged
The first of these news items reports on an April 25, 2017 editorial in the BMJ:
Saturated fat does not clog the arteries: coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced by healthy lifestyle interventions. > — Aseem Malhotra, Rita F. Redberg, Pascal Meier
Coronary artery disease pathogenesis and treatment urgently requires a paradigm shift. Despite popular belief among doctors and the public, the conceptual model of dietary saturated fat clogging a pipe is just plain wrong. A landmark systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies showed no association between saturated fat consumption and (1) all-cause mortality, (2) coronary heart disease (CHD), (3) CHD mortality, (4) ischaemic stroke, or (5) type 2 diabetes in healthy adults. Similarly, in the secondary prevention of CHD, there is no benefit from reduced fat, including saturated fat, on myocardial infarction, cardiovascular, or all-cause mortality.
It is instructive to note that in an angiographic study of postmenopausal women with CHD, greater intake of saturated fat was associated with less progression of atherosclerosis, whereas carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fat intake were associated with greater progression.
2. High-Carb Diet 'Increases Heart Risks'
The second item reports how leading cardiologist and former President of the World Heart Federation, Dr. Salim Yusuf, has publicly stated that increased intake of carbohydrates is harmful.
Key quotes:
"Some fats are good, some fats may be neutral, but it is carbohydrate that is the worst thing." > "There is absolutely no evidence that low-fat milk is better for you." > "If you look at dairy sources of fat, it is protective. If you look at meat sources of saturated fats, it is neutral, and if you look at white meat—this is chicken and fish—there’s a trend toward benefit."
3. Eating Low Fat Could Increase Early Death Risk
The final headline refers to the major PURE study (135,000 people, 18 countries, 7-year follow-up). A major report appeared in The Lancet on August 29, 2017:
Associations of fats and carbohydrate intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 18 countries from five continents (PURE): a prospective cohort study. > [Hundreds of authors]
Stated Conclusion: > “High carbohydrate intake was associated with higher risk of total mortality, whereas total fat and individual types of fat were related to lower total mortality. Total fat and types of fat were not associated with cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular disease mortality, whereas saturated fat had an inverse association with stroke. Global dietary guidelines should be reconsidered in light of these findings.”
So it’s not just me, or “lunatic charlatans” like me saying it—it’s official now. Sugar is the Devil, and Fat is our Friend.
Happy New Year, and a Happy New Diet to you!
Dr. Damien Downing 02-01-2018