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For anyone who still believes that there is a link between dietary saturated fat and the risk of heart disease — you are right. However, the correlation is inverse, not direct. IOW, statistics show that the higher the consumption of saturated fats, the lower the risk of heart disease. Dr. Briffa has kindly provided a chart that relates the average consumption rates of saturated fats, by country, with mortality rates attributed to heart disease:
Interesting observation, isn't it. This is further evidence that it's the carbs that are killing us, not the fats, contrary to the claims of mainstream medicine.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Interesting graph and I'm not arguing the point, but I did notice that the countries that eat a higher saturated fat diet also seem to be the countries that have a pretty good health care system... which means that many more of those people could be on statins and blood pressure meds. There are too many variables to draw a straight conclusion. I do however wonder about the amount of saturated fats I'm eating now because of my diet. .... and of course the nutrition info i am studying is still pushing a low saturated fat/ high complex carb diet. Very frustrating.
Leah, FWIW, I had the size of my cholesterol particles checked the last time. I had been eating a lower carb/higher fat diet. Though my cholesterol was a bit high my HDL was very high and the particle size was very good.....a high percentage of large fluffy ones. It is believed that the small dense ones are the ones that cause cardio and plaque problems. I don't think fat is the issue with our diets....it's the sugar.
I had just read too that sugar seems to be the culprit. I'm wondering if going GF has improved my Cholesterol panel as last month my cholesterol had dropped from 225 to 189 and my trigs went down a lot too as well as the LDL. I was shocked as I'm still eating tons of rice and other carbs right now and eating a lot more meat. Maybe another unexpected benefit to giving up the wheat!
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Terri, going gluten free and lower carb hasn't really lowered my cholesterol but my triglycerides and blood sugar both improved. When I ate low fat, higher complex carbs, I slowly gained weight, my triglycerides soared and blood sugar was creeping up (and I was walking regularly). I'm sure each of our individual metabolisms will vary but my mine is extremely sluggish. I am now treating my thyroid so I will see where that goes. Deb
My blood sugar actually went up significantly after being on this diet so that worries me. Good cholesterol report but bad blood sugar report. I'm afraid to do low carb right now as I need to gain some weight back and I seem to tolerate rice very well. I would love to eat a ton of veggies with my meat every day but don't think my body will tolerate all the fiber from the veggies. Sure do miss my salads. So frustrating.
I have hypothyroidism which is now finally under control which would explain some of my weight loss.... a little some....as I believe going GF/DF combined with the wonderful D (har har) contributed to most of the weight loss. Good luck with the thyroid meds!
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Terri, my tri and blood sugar went up eating "good" carbs, oatmeal, sprouted bread, etc. Eating a lot of rice and potatoes doesn't fare well with my levels either. Eating sure gets a lot easier when you can add back the salads and veggies. It takes time but it will happen.
I am hypo too. I've been on thyroid hormones since June and am feeling better by the week. Happy healing. Deb
I have taken synthroid for years but I know there was discussion somewhere about an older but more natural treatment. Anyone remember that? Also, even though I eat more rice and potatoes than I used to, I have leveled off at an acceptable weight. I lost about 15 pounds when my symptoms began about 10 or 11 months ago, but managed to gain it back when I got it under control Salads and raw veggies rock! But I would love a wonderful blue cheese dressing.....sigh. Never satisfied I guess.
Also, to Tex's saturated fat post, I LOVE not cutting all the fat off meat. I knew saturated fat couldn't be that bad because I lost weight a couple of years ago( on purpose) on the Atkins diet. I felt good and lowered my cholesterol significantly on that diet. I believe now that it may have postponed my gluten sensitivity because it was not too many months after I eased up on Atkins that my symptoms were triggered.
Christine
Christine, the older, more "natural" ( it's from pigs rather than manufactured) version is desiccated natural thyroid. It was used for 100 years before synthroid was developed. Here was a previous discussion http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... 96&start=0 Some people believe it more closely resembles what our body manufactures.
Christine...I'm jealous! I can't wait to eat a salad again. So happy you have gotten this nasty disease under control. I also lost 15 lbs but in the last month have not lost any. Probably cause of the Pepto and I'm able to eat more. Gosh...I hope I can gain some weight back. Nice to hear success stories like yours. Sometimes I think without the gluten and cutting out on a lot of sugar that I will never gain it back. Too skinny right now.
I've been taking Armour Thyroid for over a year now. Works great!
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Deb
Thanks for the link. I will do some reading before I go to my pcp.
Terri
I don't eat eggs, gluten, soy or dairy but I still find plenty to eat. When you can, try some of the decadent muffins in Dee's Kitchen. I feel that just looking at my bag of almond flour,dried fruits and honey fatten me
Up!
Chris
I switched from low fat to saturated fats (butter for veggies, lard for frying) and stopped eating salads a month ago and increased proteins. I've lost 3 pounds in the last month and lost 100 cholesterol points last December. My doctor is stunned by this but he's still sticking with the low fat diet recommendation. Not me but we'll see if what the lipid panels shows this December. I sure hope it holds. My HDL has always been high, thank heavens.
Dr. Briffa has kindly provided a chart that relates the average consumption rates of saturated fats, by country, with mortality rates attributed to heart disease:
