Moreover, here’s what you need to know about saturated fat and the tangible benefits associated with its consumption.
- 60% of your brain is made of fat. 50% of the fat in your brain is saturated and critical for cognitive function
- Cell membranes are 50% saturated fat
- Saturated fats are the building blocks of many key hormones
- Saturated fats can increase HDL, the “good cholesterol”
- Consuming a low-carb high-fat diet can increase LDL particle size, which reduces risk of heart disease
Saturated fat is an essential raw material that your brain needs in order to grow, regenerate, and stay healthy. Recent studies show that consuming very long saturated fat acids (found in dairy and nuts) can have a positive effect on changes in cognitive function. There is other research that shows that diets with high carbohydrate intake are associated with greater risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than the diets with high fat or protein intake.
Despite the 60+ years of reputation as the driver of cardiovascular disease (CVD), certain saturated fats are, in fact, good for your cardiovascular health. This 10-year study found no connection between the total intake of saturated fat and the risk of heart disease. This meta-analysis of 18 different observational studies looked at the levels of pentadecanoic and heptadecanoic acids, both of which are saturated fats found in dairy, and concluded that higher blood levels of these nutrients were actually linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Stearic acid, one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in meat, is associated with improved body fat, improved mitochondrial function, and weight loss.
There have been few studies on saturated fat intake and its effect on human bones, and previous conclusions about its adverse effects on bone density were mostly based on studies involving mice. More recent studies show that saturated fat intake may protect against osteoporosis.
Believe it or not, saturated fat intake seems to have a beneficial effect on the human immune system. In particular, saturated fat consumption induces trained immunity, which is a good system, when our body is fighting some sort of infection.
All in all, saturated fat that comes from healthy natural sources such as dairy, meat, and nuts, is not the villain it’s been made out to be. Clearly, every person is different, and for some a ketogenic diet may lead to skin inflammation and other unpleasant reactions, while for others it can be the best solution for their health and appearance.