Analysis of 27 trials finds the best way to raise HDL (good cholesterol) is to eat saturated fat

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Arteriosclerosis and Thrombosis Vol 12, 911-919, and a recipe for cowboy stew.

Study title and authors:

Books:

Effect of dietary fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins. A meta- analysis of 27 trials

RP Mensink and MB Katan
Department of Human Biology, Limburg University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

This paper can be accessed at: http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/12/8/911?ijKey=adcbb65f6dc408c34108ffe0106e0c0b1ba749d3&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha

The paper reviewed 27 studies to calculate the effect of replacing carbohydrates with either saturated fat, monounsaturated fat or polyunsaturated fat on (the beneficial) high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and (the harmful) triglyceride levels.

The paper found:

(a) All fats lowered the harmful triglyceride levels.

(b) All fats raised the beneficial HDL cholesterol levels, but saturated fat raised it the most!

The papers findings were that the best way to raise HDL (good cholesterol) is to eat saturated fat.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Cowboy Stew

Ingredients:

2-3 T cooking fat

Food Mall: Ground Beef

1 onion, chopped

2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tsp salt
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 Annaheim or Poblano pepper, chopped
1 large yellow summer squash or 1 medium zucchini, chopped
1-2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1-2 tsp chili powder (optional)
1 lb ground beef
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 quart beef broth
1/2 - 1 cup chopped cilantro, loosely packed (optional)

Instructions:
Saute the onions in the fat until they begin to soften, then add the garlic and stir a little longer.

Add the spices and salt, and stir. Add the chopped peppers and zucchini and saute for 5-10 minutes, or until they soften. Add a little of the broth if the vegetables start to get dry.

Add the beef and keep stirring to break it up and let it brown a little. Pour in the stock and add the tomatoes and bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and let it cook, covered, for about 30 minutes.

When it is done, remove it from heat, stir in the cilantro if using, and taste it. Add more salt and spices if needed. You can also crush a clove or 2 of raw garlic in at this point if you want it to have more "bite".