A meta-analysis published in the January 13th, 2010 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed no significant link between saturated fat intake and coronary heart disease, stroke, or cardiovascular disease. The meta-analysis included 21 epdiomeiological studies that encompassed nearly 348,000 adults! The individuals were studied anywhere from 5 to 23 years. Of the total number, 11,006 developed heart disease. That’s an insignificant 3% of almost 348,000 people.
An epidemiological study is a statistical study on human populations which attempts to link human health effects to a specified cause. In this case, researcher looked for associations between reported dietary habits and risk of cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis combines the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Mar;91(3):535-46. Epub 2010 Jan 13.
Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease.
Siri-Tarino PW, Sun Q, Hu FB, Krauss RM.
BACKGROUND: A reduction in dietary saturated fat has generally been thought to improve cardiovascular health.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence related to the association of dietary saturated fat with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD; CHD inclusive of stroke) in prospective epidemiologic studies.
DESIGN: Twenty-one studies identified by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and secondary referencing qualified for inclusion in this study. A random-effects model was used to derive composite relative risk estimates for CHD, stroke, and CVD.
RESULTS: During 5-23 y of follow-up of 347,747 subjects, 11,006 developed CHD or stroke. Intake of saturated fat was not associated with an increased risk of CHD, stroke, or CVD. The pooled relative risk estimates that compared extreme quantiles of saturated fat intake were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.19; P = 0.22) for CHD, 0.81 (95% CI: 0.62, 1.05; P = 0.11) for stroke, and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.11; P = 0.95) for CVD. Consideration of age, sex, and study quality did not change the results.
CONCLUSIONS: A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD. More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to replace saturated fat.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta-analysis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiological_study
Wow! A total 180 from what the public has been hearing for years! Let us eat BUTTER!!
hmmmmmm my sister and brother both died through to a blocked right artery brought on my a thining of the outter wall of the artery, saturated fat slipped through and blocked their arteries – they both died in their sleep over a massive heart attack, so yeah although butter is better for cooking with as it does not turn into trans fats….. but hey everything in moderation is required and not a free for all on sat fats!
I am sorry about your lost family members, but their unique situation has ZERO bearing on the scientific data. A litany of factors figure into the atherosclerotic process which eventually leads to blocked arteries and heart disease. Excess calories, a lack of exercise, high blood sugar, genetic factors ALL figure in. And remember, dietary saturated fat and serum saturated fat are two very different things.