How the War on Fat Is Harming Your Health

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…

  1. Embrace full-fat dairy: Milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent sources of C15:0.
  2. Don’t fear red meat: Grass-fed beef is particularly rich in this essential fatty acid.
  3. 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>

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

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.

View More Free Articles

"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk

Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...

Read This

Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED

By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...

Read This

Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory

You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...

Read This

Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check

I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...

Read This

Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer

We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....

Read This

Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer

“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....

Read This

Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger

We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...

Read This

Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging

Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...

Read This

The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood

You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....

Read This

Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin

You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...

Read This