How the War on Fat Is Harming Your Health
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 11, 2024
For decades, we’ve been taught to fear fat. Low-fat and fat-free products have been practically shoved down our throats.
It’s been drilled into our heads that fat is enemy no. 1. But what if I told you that this fat phobia is likely doing far more harm than good?
In fact, a “forgotten fat” could be the key to unlocking better health, and you’ve probably been avoiding it all along.
Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0 for short) is an essential fatty acid that’s been hiding in plain sight.
This odd-chain saturated fatty acid is the new kid on the block in nutrition science and it’s making waves in the health world.
Now a groundbreaking study published in The Journal of Nutrition has shed new light on this unsung hero. And the results are eye-opening.
Researchers put C15:0 to the test in a group of obese volunteers. What they found was remarkable:
- Liver health got a significant boost. Participants saw a dramatic decrease in liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase.
- Blood health improved, with a notable increase in hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen).
But that’s not all—the study suggests that this forgotten fat may be a secret weapon in managing metabolic dysfunction, the underlying issue behind liver disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
Now, if you’re wondering why you haven’t heard about it before, the answer is simple. The war on saturated fat has been indiscriminate.
We’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak, cutting out beneficial fats along with the harmful ones.
So, here’s how to get more of this super fat into your diet…
- Embrace full-fat dairy: Milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent sources of C15:0.
- Don’t fear red meat: Grass-fed beef is particularly rich in this essential fatty acid.
- Consider supplements: C15:0 supplements can be pricey, but if you can afford them, they’re worth the investment to ensure they’re getting enough.
However, here’s the real kicker: C15:0 might just be the tip of the iceberg. It’s one of many beneficial fats many of us are missing.
The truth is our fear of saturated fat could be contributing to the obesity epidemic and other chronic diseases we’re facing today.
We need to change how we think about fats. Broad claims about “good” and “bad” fats oversimplifies a complicated problem. We need to work on understanding nutrition in a more complex way.
As we await more research on C15:0 and other potentially beneficial fats, it’s clear that a balanced approach to nutrition is vital. That means you should feel free to include some full-fat dairy or a juicy organic steak in your diet.
Remember, when it comes to health, it’s not always about cutting things out. Sometimes, it’s about rediscovering what we’ve been missing all along.
P.S. Get the REAL “skinny” on saturated fat RIGHT HERE.
Source:
Miranda K Robinson, Euyhyun Lee, et al., Pentadecanoic Acid Supplementation in Young Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial, The Journal of Nutrition, Published: July 26, 2024, <doi. org /10.1016 /j.tjnut.2024.07.030>
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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