Nutritional information has been evolving and accessible for decades, but we need to look to many diverse sources to find the most accurate information for any particular topic. Particular fats such as saturated, mono-saturated and polyunsaturated fats, all have specific health benefits when consumed in moderation. Saturated fats contain cholesterol that the cells within our bodies rely upon for structure and barriers.1 Over the last few decades, trans fats have been known to mostly have little or no positive health benefits.
I think it so very important that we seek education in our personal nutrition as to become more aware of exactly what we are putting into our bodies. Over the last decades, consumers have relied upon the scientific and medical industries to inform the general public about what is healthy or unhealthy to consume. Depending on the source of the information, fat and consequently cholesterol are possibly the source of all of our health-related issues or the cure to all that ails us.1 Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between and realizing that we as humans do need specific fats in our diet, albeit in moderation. Additionally, what may be deemed as healthy or beneficial for someone, may not be for another. Everyone has their own health constitution relative to genetics, lifestyle, environment, and maybe other components.
We have seen phases or trends in US health culture evolve over time. We can rationalize this by realizing that science has continuously been evolving and data has become more accurate due to many technological advances since the early part of the 20th century. Unfortunately, many of the trends have been affected by big corporations and associations that have the vast resources to sway not only the medical and science communities but also the public as well. Cigarettes were promoted by doctors, then they were not but the FDA still regulates and allows their detrimental usage.2 Coffee and its ingredient of caffeine seems to ebb and flow ever year between being good or bad for us. 3 A few decades ago, eggs and beef where demonized as having little positive health benefits to outweigh their negative effects such as high cholesterol and relative higher risk of heart disease from high consumption.
In the 70’s a diet filled with eggs, bacon, beef, salt and sugar was desired as it was a symbol of social status to be able to afford these items and provide for one’s family. I think this was a side effect of my parent’s having grown up during the Great Depression, where jobs and food were somewhat limited. When I was a teen back in the 80’s, I saw the beginning of the shift from the eggs, bacon and pancake breakfast and steak and potatoes dinners to an awareness that these foods were high in fat and relative cholesterol. With my own pursuit of better health and well-being, I have found that nutrition is highly relative to the individual’s lifestyle choices and awareness that even seemingly healthy foods may not be so much, especially if they have been heavily processed, have pesticides or other chemicals added to them. So I read labels more and consume in moderation.
References:
1 Campbell-McBride, N. (2017, November 6). Cholesterol: Friend Or Foe? The Weston A. Price Foundation. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/know-your-fats/cholesterol-friend-or-foe/
2 Little, B. (2020, January 8). When Cigarette Companies Used Doctors to Push Smoking. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/news/cigarette-ads-doctors-smoking-endorsement
3 Is coffee good or bad for your health? (2021, April 9). News. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/is-coffee-good-or-bad-for-your-health/
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Jim Moltzan
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