iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll thsThmmThc dtMeanwhile, saturated fats like butter, lard, and animal fats have been get-
ting a bad rap—yet these traditional foods are likely a better choice than
the inflammatory vegetable oils.
A study conducted at the University of Western Ontario showed that people
who eat more saturated fats in their diets have a lower risk of cancer than
those with the least amount of saturated fats in the diet. (Bring on the lard!)
Another study concluded that eating polyunsaturated fats like those in
vegetable oils may stimulate cancer, while saturated fats protect against
cancer and reduce inflammation.
Vegetable oils and margarine were only introduced into our diets in the
last century. Traditional natural oil preparation methods like pressing or
separating (think olive oil) are not used to extract oils from vegetables
like corn and soybeans. Instead, vegetable oils are manufactured in a fac-
tory, and the oil is chemically removed from crops and then altered. For
example, canola oil is made from rapeseed, and a petroleum solvent is
used to extract this oil. Many vegetable oils are made from genetically
modified crops and contain large amounts of pesticides.
When diets high in polyunsaturated fats were tested on animals, it was
concluded that they can cause problems with learning, are toxic to the
liver, trigger immune system malfunction, slow mental and physical
growth, cause chromosomal damage, and induce premature aging. In
addition, diets high in polyunsaturated fats are responsible for increased
rates of cancer, heart disease, and weight gain.
Omega-3
Promoting a healthier omega-3 to omega-6 ratio by eating more foods
rich in omega-3 fatty acids while reducing omega-6 fatty acid intake may
help restore immune balance.
Omega-3 acids are found primarily in fish, shellfish, and flaxseeds. Those
who cannot eat adequate amounts of fish or are concerned about mer-
cury content can take them in supplement form.
Omega-3 acid supplementation has been found to be helpful in a variety
of autoimmune conditions. Doses of 1–4 grams are recommended when
taking fish oil supplements.
The omega acid content of various meats depends on the type of diet the
animals received. Grass-fed organic beef has fewer omega-6s compared
with soybean- or corn-fed cattle.