Related Research

Thoughts on Harvard study

The Harvard Carnivore Diet Study, conducted by researchers at Harvard University, surveyed 2,029 individuals adhering to a carnivore diet for at least six months and found that participants reported significant improvements in health with few adverse effects. The study, published in Current Developments in Nutrition, highlighted the positive experiences and high compliance rates of the diet among participants, challenging conventional dietary guidelines.

Read more: https://www.doctorkiltz.com/the-harvard-carnivore-diet-study/

Saturated Fats and Health

The study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reevaluates the recommendations to limit saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake, finding no substantial evidence that such restrictions reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) or mortality, and noting protective effects against stroke. It proposes not further limiting SFA-rich foods like whole-fat dairy, dark chocolate, and unprocessed meat, which do not show an increased risk of CVD.

Read more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109720356874#!

Low Carb High Protein diet study

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, assessed the effectiveness of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet versus a conventional low-calorie, high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet on obesity over a year. It found that the low-carbohydrate diet led to greater initial weight loss and improvements in certain coronary risk factors, but these differences were not significant at the one-year mark. The study highlights the challenges of dietary adherence and suggests that more extensive studies are needed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of such diets.

Read more: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12761365/

Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet Study

The study published in the Nutrition Journal investigated the effects of the "Spanish Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet" (SKMD), which combines elements of the Mediterranean diet with a ketogenic diet, focusing on olive oil, salad, fish, and moderate red wine consumption. The study found significant improvements in weight loss, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose after 12 weeks on this diet among 31 obese participants. These results suggest that the SKMD can be an effective method for weight loss while also promoting a healthier cardiovascular profile. Future studies are recommended to explore long-term effects and comparisons with other diets.

Ketogenic and diabetes

The study published in ScienceDirect assesses the therapeutic effect of a ketogenic diet on type 2 diabetes over a three-month period. It reports that a ketogenic diet significantly reduced key physiological markers for diabetes such as Hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and body mass index. The study utilized MRI images to track changes in adipose tissue volume, introducing a new parameter called Slope and Offset of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test to enhance the evaluation of the diet's impact on diabetes. The findings suggest that the ketogenic diet may be a beneficial non-pharmacological treatment for type 2 diabetes by improving critical diabetic indicators.

Reductions of saturated fats and heart disease. No causation.

The study summarized in PubMed's Cochrane Database Systematic Review evaluates the impact of reducing saturated fat intake on cardiovascular disease. It finds that lowering dietary saturated fat and replacing it with polyunsaturated fats reduces cardiovascular events by 17%, although there's less clear evidence of its effect on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The review, incorporating results from 15 randomized controlled trials involving approximately 59,000 participants, suggests that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fats is beneficial, whereas replacing it with carbohydrates or proteins is less effective or unclear.

Red meat unprocessed doesn’t cause Heart disease

The study published in Circulation systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the relationship between red and processed meat consumption and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and diabetes mellitus. It suggests that processed meat consumption is associated with a higher risk of CHD and diabetes mellitus, while red meat does not show a consistent association with these conditions. The study emphasizes the need for detailed analysis of meat types and their health impacts due to nutritional differences, particularly focusing on the effects of processed meats and their components like sodium and preservatives on cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Discrepancies in Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratios: Implications for Modern Chronic Diseases

The study, published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, examines the evolutionary aspects of human diets, particularly the imbalance in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio in contemporary Western diets compared to the evolutionary norm. Originally, human diets had a balanced ratio of 1:1, whereas modern Western diets exhibit ratios ranging from 15:1 to 16.7:1. This shift, attributed to changes in food supply and technology over the last 150 years, correlates with increased incidences of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. The study highlights the importance of restoring this dietary balance to mitigate chronic health conditions.

Nutritional Risks in Newborns of Vegan Mothers: A Case Study

The article from Archives de Pédiatrie reports a case of a 10-month-old infant experiencing failure to thrive, megaloblastic anemia, and delayed psychomotor development due to being exclusively breastfed by a vegan mother. The investigation revealed deficiencies in vitamin B12, K, and D in both the mother and child. Subsequent vitamin supplementation led to significant improvements in the infant's health, emphasizing the critical need for monitoring and preventing nutritional deficiencies in vegan mothers and their breastfed children.

Unprocessed Beef Consumption Shows Minimal Impact on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Study Finds

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, published in Current Developments in Nutrition, examined the effects of unprocessed beef consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The study found that consuming two servings (approximately 3 ounces each) of unprocessed beef daily had little to no effect on most CVD risk factors, including blood pressure and various cholesterol measures. While a slight increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was observed, this effect was not statistically significant after adjusting for certain variables. These findings suggest that unprocessed beef can be included in heart-healthy diets without adversely affecting cardiovascular health.

Fish Oil and Diet Revolution: A High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet Slows Prostate Cancer Progression in Groundbreaking Study

The CAPFISH-3 trial showed that a high omega-3, low omega-6 diet with fish oil significantly reduced Ki-67, a key biomarker for prostate cancer progression, in men on active surveillance. Over one year, the intervention decreased Ki-67 by 15%, while the control group's levels increased by 24%, supporting the potential of dietary strategies in prostate cancer management.

Processed Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Linked to Increased Depression Risk Among Vegetarians

A Food Frontiers study found that vegetarians consuming plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) had a 42% higher risk of depression compared to non-consumers. No significant differences in sodium, sugar, or saturated fat intake were observed between the groups. However, PBMA consumers exhibited higher blood pressure and increased inflammation markers. Conversely, PBMA intake was associated with a 40% reduced risk of irritable bowel syndrome. These findings suggest that while PBMAs can be part of a balanced diet, their association with depression and inflammation warrants further investigation.

New Research Challenges Long-Held Beliefs on Saturated Fats and Heart Disease

Reflecting on the evolution of dietary guidelines, it's evident that the diet-heart hypothesis, introduced in the 1950s, significantly influenced our understanding of saturated fats and heart disease. Initially, this hypothesis suggested a direct link between saturated fat intake and cardiovascular disease, leading to widespread recommendations to limit these fats. However, over the decades, numerous clinical trials have failed to establish a causal relationship between saturated fats and heart disease. Recent analyses, including over 20 review papers, have concluded that saturated fats do not significantly impact cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular mortality, or total mortality. Despite this emerging evidence, policy changes have been slow, often hindered by longstanding biases and potential conflicts of interest. It's crucial for current dietary guidelines to reflect this updated scientific understanding, moving away from outdated restrictions on saturated fats.

Read more here.

Financial Ties Between Procter & Gamble and the American Heart Association Influenced Decades of Dietary Fat Recommendations

Reflecting on the historical relationship between the American Heart Association (AHA) and Procter & Gamble (P&G), it's evident that financial influences have shaped public health narratives. In 1961, the AHA began advising Americans to limit saturated fat intake, recommending the replacement of traditional fats like butter with polyunsaturated vegetable oils, such as P&G's Crisco. This shift was significantly influenced by a substantial donation from P&G to the AHA, totaling $20 million in today's dollars. This funding not only bolstered the AHA's prominence but also aligned with P&G's commercial interests in promoting vegetable oils over animal fats. Subsequent research has questioned the validity of the diet-heart hypothesis, revealing that early clinical trials did not find a significant link between saturated fat consumption and heart disease. Despite these findings, the initial recommendations have had a lasting impact on dietary guidelines and public perceptions of fat consumption.

Read more here.

Impact on Gut Health Study

A study from the University of California found that high consumption of soybean oil, a common seed oil, has been linked to obesity and diabetes, and potentially to conditions such as autism, Alzheimers disease, anxiety, and depression.

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Cardiovascular Health

Research published in the Open Heart journal indicated that increased intake of omega-6 fatty acids, prevalent in many seed oils, was associated with a higher risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease death.

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Inflammation Concerns

The Cleveland Clinic notes that while omega-6 fatty acids are essential, excessive consumptions common in Western diets can disrupt the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, potentially leading to increased inflammation in the body.

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Minnesota Coronary Experiment

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigated whether substituting saturated fats with linoleic acid-rich vegetable oils would reduce coronary heart disease and mortality by lowering serum cholesterol levels. The findings revealed that although the intervention group experienced a reduction in serum cholesterol, this did not lead to improved survival rates. Unexpectedly, participants who had greater reductions in serum cholesterol exhibited a higher risk of death. These results challenge the traditional diet-heart hypothesis.

Read more here.

Sydney Diet Heart Study

This randomized controlled trial assessed the effects of replacing dietary saturated fats with linoleic acid in men aged 30-59 who had experienced a recent coronary event. The study concluded that substituting dietary linoleic acid for saturated fats increased the risks of death from all causes, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease. An updated meta-analysis of linoleic acid intervention trials found no evidence of cardiovascular benefit, suggesting that such dietary substitutions may have adverse effects.

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In mice seed oils had more of an impact than fructose/coconut oil on obesity

These studies indicate that replacing saturated fats with linoleic acid-rich oils like corn oil may not confer the anticipated cardiovascular benefits and could potentially increase mortality risks. These findings have significant implications for dietary guidelines concerning fat intake and heart disease prevention.

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Saturated Fat and Health: Recent Advances in Research

No abstract available.

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Sugar Industry and Coronary Heart Disease Research

These studies indicate that the Sugar Research Foundation funded research in the 1960s and 1970s that downplayed sucrose’s link to coronary heart disease (CHD) while promoting fat as the main culprit. This suggests a need for policymakers to rely on more comprehensive studies, including those on added sugars.

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A Short History of Saturated Fat

This article explores the history of the diet-heart hypothesis, revealing conflicts of interest with the American Heart Association and irregularities in the reviews for the 2015 and 2020 Dietary Guidelines. It also includes new insights from FOIA-obtained emails and highlights the ongoing review for the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines.

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Saturated Fat Does Not Clog the Arteries

This article challenges the common belief that saturated fat contributes to clogged arteries, suggesting instead that coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition. It emphasizes that the risk of CHD can be effectively reduced through healthy lifestyle interventions.

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Saturated Fats and Health: Reassessing Dietary Recommendations

Recent evidence challenges the long-standing recommendation to limit saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake. Meta-analyses show no beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) or total mortality from reducing SFAs, and even suggest protective effects against stroke. SFAs increase LDL cholesterol, but typically larger, less harmful LDL particles..

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Study Identifies Blood Biomarkers Associated with Reaching 100 Years

In a recent study titled "Blood biomarker profiles and exceptional longevity: comparison of centenarians and non-centenarians in a 35-year follow-up of the Swedish AMORIS cohort," researchers analyzed blood samples from over 44,000 Swedes aged 64 to 99. They discovered that individuals who lived to 100 had higher levels of total cholesterol and iron, and lower levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and certain liver enzymes, compared to those who didn't reach 100. These findings suggest that specific blood biomarkers, measurable decades before death, may be linked to exceptional longevity.

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Higher Meat Consumption Linked to Longer Life Expectancy: A Global Population Study

In the study "Total Meat Intake is Associated with Life Expectancy: A Cross-Sectional Data Analysis of 175 Contemporary Populations," researchers examined the relationship between meat consumption and life expectancy across various countries. They discovered a positive correlation: populations with higher meat intake tend to have longer life expectancies. This finding challenges the common belief that higher meat consumption is detrimental to health and suggests that meat may play a beneficial role in human longevity.

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Endurance and Nutrition: Completing Five Marathons in Five Days on a Ketogenic Diet

Embarking on a remarkable journey, I set out to complete five marathons over five consecutive days, all while adhering to a ketogenic diet and fasting regimen. The culmination of this endeavor was the official Sydney Marathon on September 17, 2023.

Marathon 5: The Official Sydney Marathon

The final marathon commenced at 7:15 AM, with the first 15 kilometers unfolding at a brisk pace, propelled by the enthusiastic crowd. However, by the 26-kilometer mark, the cumulative fatigue from the previous days necessitated a strategic slowdown to a brisk walk to ensure completion. The day's temperatures soared to 35°C, presenting additional challenges. Despite these hurdles, I crossed the finish line with a profound sense of accomplishment, marking the successful conclusion of my five-day marathon journey.