YOU doctors slam coconut oil in news

[glamazon]

Here is an article I read in today's paper. I am a huge Coconut Oil supporter and this really astonished me. Coconut oil causes insulin resistance? Makes you old before your time? It will give you dementia? I thought these guys were reputable. Anyone have any opinions?

Here is the article:

"YOU Docs: Don't monkey with coconut oil
by Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz
Tuesday November 18, 2008, 11:08 PM

It's the last 10 seconds of the game. The Cavaliers are up by one. LeBron James fakes to his left. Kobe Bryant jumps to block his shot. But then James drives to the right and scores the winning basket. That's a classic head fake -- somebody makes you think one thing is happening when just the opposite is true.

Head fakes don't just take place on the basketball court. They occur in real life, too.

Take coconut oil. It's loaded with artery-clogging saturated fat and oozing with calories (117 per tablespoon, to be exact). But the buzz on the street is that it's a natural miracle food that can melt off unwanted weight, lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, fight heart disease and fend off cancer -- without the artery-clogging effects of other high-sat-fat foods like beef, cream and cheese.

No wonder books on the stuff are flying off the shelves. Heck, even celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and British rugby squads are reported to swear by it.

How did coconut oil suddenly get so popular?

Once trans fats were exposed as the nutritional bad boys they are, food manufacturers started turning to tropical oils like coconut and palm oil to take their place. These plant oils have many of the same qualities that made trans fats so good at preserving the shelf life and flavor of processed foods. So naturally, the food industry (not to mention the diet book industry) would like us to think they're healthy.

But don't be fooled.

Plant-based or not, both of these oils are loaded with saturated fat, and coconut oil is the all-star: It has more saturated fat than pretty much any food out there. How much? A mind-boggling 87 percent. Compare that with 63 percent in butter or 38 percent in a burger, and you get the picture .

OK, yes, there's still some scientific debate about whether the type of saturated fat in coconut oil raises cholesterol as much as that found in animal foods, but even if it doesn't, there's plenty of proof that saturated fat's a major health hazard in lots of other ways.

For one thing, all sat fat speeds up aging. Sat fat doesn't do pretty things for your memory, either. It decreases a chemical known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is responsible for recall and learning. It also increases inflammation in the brain.

No surprise, as many studies reveal the ugly secret that if you feast on foods rich in saturated fat you are much more likely to develop dementia. Period, exclamation point. Good head fake, eh?

But that's not all: Sat fat predisposes you to, or causes, insulin resistance, which eventually means diabetes and heart disease. Bottom line: Don't fall for the coconut oil head fake any more than you would (you hope) if you were trying to guard LeBron.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz (left) and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty.""

[brittone2]

Originally Posted by glamazon

Here is an article I read in today's paper. I am a huge Coconut Oil supporter and this really astonished me. Coconut oil causes insulin resistance? Makes you old before your time? It will give you dementia? I thought these guys were reputable. Anyone have any opinions?

Here is the article:

"YOU Docs: Don't monkey with coconut oil
by Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz
Tuesday November 18, 2008, 11:08 PM

It's the last 10 seconds of the game. The Cavaliers are up by one. LeBron James fakes to his left. Kobe Bryant jumps to block his shot. But then James drives to the right and scores the winning basket. That's a classic head fake -- somebody makes you think one thing is happening when just the opposite is true.

Head fakes don't just take place on the basketball court. They occur in real life, too.

Take coconut oil. It's loaded with artery-clogging saturated fat and oozing with calories (117 per tablespoon, to be exact). But the buzz on the street is that it's a natural miracle food that can melt off unwanted weight, lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, fight heart disease and fend off cancer -- without the artery-clogging effects of other high-sat-fat foods like beef, cream and cheese.

No wonder books on the stuff are flying off the shelves. Heck, even celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and British rugby squads are reported to swear by it.

How did coconut oil suddenly get so popular?

Once trans fats were exposed as the nutritional bad boys they are, food manufacturers started turning to tropical oils like coconut and palm oil to take their place. These plant oils have many of the same qualities that made trans fats so good at preserving the shelf life and flavor of processed foods. So naturally, the food industry (not to mention the diet book industry) would like us to think they're healthy.

But don't be fooled.

Plant-based or not, both of these oils are loaded with saturated fat, and coconut oil is the all-star: It has more saturated fat than pretty much any food out there. How much? A mind-boggling 87 percent. Compare that with 63 percent in butter or 38 percent in a burger, and you get the picture .

OK, yes, there's still some scientific debate about whether the type of saturated fat in coconut oil raises cholesterol as much as that found in animal foods, but even if it doesn't, there's plenty of proof that saturated fat's a major health hazard in lots of other ways.

For one thing, all sat fat speeds up aging. Sat fat doesn't do pretty things for your memory, either. It decreases a chemical known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is responsible for recall and learning. It also increases inflammation in the brain.

No surprise, as many studies reveal the ugly secret that if you feast on foods rich in saturated fat you are much more likely to develop dementia. Period, exclamation point. Good head fake, eh?

But that's not all: Sat fat predisposes you to, or causes, insulin resistance, which eventually means diabetes and heart disease. Bottom line: Don't fall for the coconut oil head fake any more than you would (you hope) if you were trying to guard LeBron.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz (left) and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty.""

Well, by those statements all LCing (at least Atkins vs. something like South Beach) would be bad, no?

I think it also depends on whether you believe saturated fat is bad. Most studies that look at saturated fat don't separate out those who consume saturated fat in the absence of transfats or refined carbs, IIRC.

I have PCOS and feel LC helps my IR.

[Kattbelly]

It amazes me that a doctor that a TALK SHOW HOST with no medical degree has promoted, is given the status as the end all and be all of medical authority.

Did any of you see the interview between Dr. Oz and Gary Taubes? Dr. O didn't even read 'Good Calories, Bad Calories', and he was refuting everything that Taubes said. I thought Oz (and that Jillian somethingorother from the biggest loser show) looked like aggressive bullies in the face of Taubes reasonableness in that interview. That red head from the View show interviewed them on Larry King Live.

[jacksmixedtape]

Originally Posted by Kattbelly

It amazes me that a doctor that a TALK SHOW HOST with no medical degree has promoted, is given the status as the end all and be all of medical authority.

Did any of you see the interview between Dr. Oz and Gary Taubes? Dr. O didn't even read 'Good Calories, Bad Calories', and he was refuting everything that Taubes said. I thought Oz (and that Jillian somethingorother from the biggest loser show) looked like aggressive bullies in the face of Taubes reasonableness in that interview. That red head from the View show interviewed them on Larry King Live.

IA, it's just sad he's all over the TV on Oprah. My mom listens to everything he says. He probably wouldn't be getting all this attention if he didn't ascribe to the current nutritional dogma.

What I don't understand is how it even makes sense that the natural foods we evolved to eat could be destructive. Dementia, diabetes, and heart disease are fairly recent developments in our evolutionary history.

[woogers_1]

Originally Posted by Kattbelly

It amazes me that a doctor that a TALK SHOW HOST with no medical degree has promoted, is given the status as the end all and be all of medical authority.

Did any of you see the interview between Dr. Oz and Gary Taubes? Dr. O didn't even read 'Good Calories, Bad Calories', and he was refuting everything that Taubes said. I thought Oz (and that Jillian somethingorother from the biggest loser show) looked like aggressive bullies in the face of Taubes reasonableness in that interview. That red head from the View show interviewed them on Larry King Live.

Sure wish I had caught that show. You might mean Joy Beher did the interview? Was it on recently?

[ShapeUndefined]

Originally Posted by jacksmixedtape

IA, it's just sad he's all over the TV on Oprah.

Now you know why Oprah has such a hard time controlling her weight. Have you seen recent pictures of her? Bleah.

[scandalouslyglam]

Good god. How many folks on here are losing weight, lowering their cholesterol and feeling better w/ CO in their lives. Proof is in the proverbial pudding...Mmmm Coconut pudding!

[2bhapee]

Al I can say is FAWN HELP!!!

[Sunny7]

Fawn, please chime in on this. I have been on the Coconut oil for over 6 months now. I heard Dr. Oz on XM radio with his wife Lisa, and she said she uses coconut oil. He had a guest on and they were talking about saturated fats, and she brought up the CO,and said how she liked it. This was this past summer that i heard it. Wonder if she still uses it!!!

[Butternut]

In Diabetic classes they teach to stay away from Coconut Oil.

[sweet&sugarfree]

I bet Dr. Oz would not approve of me putting raw eggs in my shakes every morning either hahahahaha. I say dont listen to a tv doc. Do your own research and do what is right for you.

[ljh150]

My first thought was, "what an idiot". Not very nice, but that's what came to mind, LOL.

[DiamondDeb]

Why do you care what he says? We know it is not true. Just like we know the food pyramid is not healthy and that HFCS is not OK just because someone made commercials saying it is.


Maybe he should ask his wife about coconut oil?

[glamazon]

For myself I can dismiss their views, but now my mother and grandmas are completely freaked out because I've been trying to get them on coconut oil, and here is TV friendly famous Oprah-loved Dr. Oz telling them I'm evil and trying to force them into artery clogging brain swelling dementia, and make them look old to boot! WTH!! I'm a Weston Price, Enig and Fallon fan and I've read every inch of what they've published. I trust them and their mountains of research and study pointing. The above article is really really irritating on so many levels, especially since now my Grandmas think I'm a fool!

[DiamondDeb]

Originally Posted by glamazon

For myself I can dismiss their views, but now my mother and grandmas are completely freaked out because I've been trying to get them on coconut oil, and here is TV friendly famous Oprah-loved Dr. Oz telling them I'm evil and trying to force them into artery clogging brain swelling dementia, and make them look old to boot! WTH!! I'm a Weston Price, Enig and Fallon fan and I've read every inch of what they've published. I trust them and their mountains of research and study pointing. The above article is really really irritating on so many levels, especially since now my Grandmas think I'm a fool!

I hear ya. I haven't read all there stuff yet but I'm wading through it. Wish putting it under my pillow would help me absorb it all over night.

I've got an aunt who thinks soy is going to save us all... lol...

[My_Sharona]

I'm wondering if Dr. You is referring to the hydrogenated coconut oil stuff, along with eating high carbs with coconut oil? Yes I can see these two culprits clogging your arteries.

But with all the research of low carbing and good virgin coconut oil, there is nothing to worry about.

[Leo41]

Personally, I would never pay attention to Dr. Oz--except when he is talking about heart health. He's a cardiac surgeon, and most doctors know little beyond their own specialties--and they certainly know little about nutrition. Dr. Oz as an all-knowing medical authority is a product of Oprah.

That said, I always worry about any food fads, and I've seen coconut oil take off on these boards as something "essential to life" that one dare not resist.

My own experience with coconut oil was not good. I used virgin oil and loved it, substituting it for olive oil as the major source of oil in my diet. Within 4 months my LDL went up 50 points, with no other changes in my WOE. Now I'm not overly concerned about cholesterol numbers, but I don't think a dramatic change like that is good, and my endo was especially concerned. I stopped the coconut oil, and within 3 months, my LDL was back to the lower number. This may be ONLY my body's response, but I don't think that coconut oil is the panacea that everyone believes. I experienced no real benefits in terms of reducing hunger (touted on these boards) or weight loss, but, again, that may be just me.

My point is that people should not assume that something will benefit them automatically because others make those claims. You need to evaluate based on your own experience. I'm fortunate that I have my lipids checked regularly because I'm hypothyroid; otherwise, I might not have been aware of the issue.

[miss sparky]

I continue to take coconut oil, but as its never actually helped me lose any weight, I had already cut right down on the amount. I still use it for stir fries and put the odd teaspoonful in my coffee. I prob eat more butter, but i like different oils for their individual qualities.....coconut for stir fries, or in coffee if I'm feeling a bit hungry, and can't eat yet. Hemp oil for the omega 3,6,9. olive oil for salads, butter for eggs and veggies, toasted sesame in with the coconut for my stir fries.
Having said that I wouldn't believe a heart surgeon too much. They rely on us abusing our bodies to give them something to cut up. how do you think they earn their money???

[Diana]

I agree with Leo...

I didn't lose weight on it at all... but I still use it as a moisturizer... Each person is different! Imagine what I would be doing/eating/etc if I listened to the TV and did everything they told me to do!

[Tooter]

Funny, the evidence says completely different.

I love Coconut oil, and it has done amazing things for me...But no 2 people are exactly alike. There truly are "Many" factors.

I do think that genetics/heritage has a lot to do with it. I couldn't understand why "I" would do so well on coconut oil. I am of Scotch/Irish decent. Not too many Coconut trees there! I came to find out that the Scotch/Irish (In their history) Ate a lot of fatty fish and high fat was a factor in their diet. Things changed when they were introduced to the Potato and all kinds of health/yeast/addiction problems followed. It makes total sense to me now.

Anyways, it truly is a YMMV thing. Also, just because someone takes 3 TBS of coconut oil, doesn't mean that, that amount is "right" for you. We truly DO need to listen to our own bodies, it's reactions and find the amount that works for us.

I know that Mary Enig says 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. Well, that works for me when I want to get the "Yeast" thing under control, but that really is too much for "Every day". Sure, I drop weight fast (at first) and then it evens out.

Now? After learning about my own body? I kind of alternate the Coconut oil. I don't take it "every" day...But do have it a few times a week. Maybe a couple of teaspoons one day...The next, nothing...etc...

I still get the benefits of the anti-viral etc... And I found that my body likes it better when I "shake things up" and don't have the same thing EVERY day.

Now, if I were to show any symptoms of sickness, you can bet I would UP my Coconut oil and take it "every day" until it was gone.

[scandalouslyglam]

Originally Posted by miss sparky

Having said that I wouldn't believe a heart surgeon too much. They rely on us abusing our bodies to give them something to cut up. how do you think they earn their money???

ouch. I hope this was said tongue in cheek. I'm pretty sure a heart surgeon knows a thing or two about clogged arteries. The fact that the YOU doc stated CO is unhealthy...he's probably right. IN MOST CASES. C'mon most people already eat HIGH CARB, HIGH FAT, HIGH SUGAR diets....Add Coconut oil to that lifestyle. Sounds like a bad idea to me.

However, The enlightened folks on this board who use CO as part of a Low carb, whole foods diet, they aren't going to see those horrible side effects.

Dr. Oz...wasn't talking to low carbing healthy whole food eaters.

[anniemo]

Originally Posted by Tooter

Funny, the evidence says completely different.

I love Coconut oil, and it has done amazing things for me...But no 2 people are exactly alike. There truly are "Many" factors.

I do think that genetics/heritage has a lot to do with it. I couldn't understand why "I" would do so well on coconut oil. I am of Scotch/Irish decent. Not too many Coconut trees there! I came to find out that the Scotch/Irish (In their history) Ate a lot of fatty fish and high fat was a factor in their diet. Things changed when they were introduced to the Potato and all kinds of health/yeast/addiction problems followed. It makes total sense to me now.

Anyways, it truly is a YMMV thing. Also, just because someone takes 3 TBS of coconut oil, doesn't mean that, that amount is "right" for you. We truly DO need to listen to our own bodies, it's reactions and find the amount that works for us.

I know that Mary Enig says 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. Well, that works for me when I want to get the "Yeast" thing under control, but that really is too much for "Every day". Sure, I drop weight fast (at first) and then it evens out.

Now? After learning about my own body? I kind of alternate the Coconut oil. I don't take it "every" day...But do have it a few times a week. Maybe a couple of teaspoons one day...The next, nothing...etc...

I still get the benefits of the anti-viral etc... And I found that my body likes it better when I "shake things up" and don't have the same thing EVERY day.

Now, if I were to show any symptoms of sickness, you can bet I would UP my Coconut oil and take it "every day" until it was gone.

i found this out too tooter. i have similar genetic makeup as you with welsh and scandinavian tossed in the mix. as soon as i balanced my efas my life got so much better.

i think some people who have gained or not lost on coconut oil did not use it to replace another oil. they simply added it into their diets. this could add too many calories. i actually purposely did this because i can't eat to the carb level to maintain my weight due to autoimmune flare ups. i needed the extra calories.

there are many doctors who are great doctors. that said, there are plenty who believe the tired old ways of the food pyramid. dr. oz does not believe low carb to be healthy. he believes saturated fats in all forms is bad for you. just because someone is a heart surgeon doesn't mean they know what you should eat for your heart to be healthy. look at all the doctors pushing special k and demonizing cheese and butter.

[Margot 65]

My first thought was...

I wish this made more sense in my fog of dementia thing I have going on.

[fawn]

While I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Oz as a cardiac specialist, I have a great deal of respect for Mary Enig, a lipid researchist. While Dr. Oz specializes in the human heart, I challenge his nutrition education. It is his intention to continue the dogma he knows and thinks he understands because let's not forget, his book is a SERIES of books on the human body and health in all aspects. While coconut oil is a saturated fat, it is a medium chain fatty acid and is used in the human frame differently than LCFA's.
As a high/moderate fat low carber, you will be challenged.
Dr. Oz does not mention that vegetable oils make the cell wall floppy and coconut oil actually strengthens the cell wall alloing permeability for regeneration. Dr. Oz doesn't mention that coconut oil also increases your EFA uptake by 100%. It is used as energy as it has a thermogenic effect. It is said to strengthen the heart muscle. with its antiviral antifungal properties the human frame maintains good health. It is known to lower the viral load in the AIDS patient significantly (I have a client with personal experience on this one)
I know I constantly quote WAP but if you look at the bottom of the page, all references are cited and maybe if I have the opportunity today, I will try to find a way to e-mail Dr. Oz or Oprah regarding this.

The Latest Studies on Coconut Oil
By Mary G. Enig, PhD

One of the very useful oils in the food supply comes from the coconut. Coconut oil has suffered from unjust criticism for more than 30 years in the United States because some of the governmental and food oil organizations, as well as consumer activist organizations such as Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), have claimed that coconut oil as a "saturated fat" is shown to be atherogenic. This is not true.

There is a variety of supportive research published in 2003, 2004, and 2005, which shows the importance of coconut oil. Also, information on coconut oil is currently coming into the research literature from numerous countries, including India, Norway, Iran and the United States.

The following are some of the most recent studies showing the benefits of coconut oil. These studies contradict claims that coconut oil contributes to heart disease and also support earlier research showing an antimicrobial role for the fatty acids in this traditional fat.

BENEFICIAL FOR HEART DISEASE
Recent research contradicts claims that coconut oil causes atherosclerosis and heart disease. In a study published in Clinical Biochemistry, 2004,1 researchers looked at coconut oil as a component of diet in laboratory animals (Sprague-Dawley rats). In this study, virgin coconut oil, which was obtained by wet process, had a beneficial effect in lowering total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and low density lipoproteins (LDL). The effects were uniformly beneficial. In serum and tissues, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels were lowered and HDL-cholesterol was increased. The polyphenol fraction of virgin coconut oil was also found to prevent in vitro LDL-oxidation. We know that oxidized cholesterol can initiate the process of atherosclerosis—the fatty acids in coconut oil prevent this oxidation. The results in this study were interpreted as due to the biologically active polyphenol components present in the oil.

LOWERS LP(A)
Another study dealing with lipoproteins and cholesterol was carried out in women. Researchers found that coconut oil-based diets lowered post-prandial tissue plasminogen activator and lipoprotein (a).2 Lp(a) is a blood marker that is a much more accurate indication of proneness to heart attack than cholesterol levels. Researchers had believed that levels of Lp(a) were unaffected by various forms of dietary fat intake. However, in this study, Lp(a) was lowered when the subjects consumed a high-saturated fat diet and somewhat lowered when they consumed a slightly lowered-saturated fat diet. The saturated fat used in both of these diets was coconut oil. The control diet was based on a monounsaturated oil.

POISON ANTIDOTE
One of the more interesting uses of coconut oil found in the human toxicology literature involves the beneficial use of coconut oil as a successful treatment for acute aluminium phosphide poisoning. This poison is used to control pests in grain storage facilities where it functions as a poisonous gas, namely phosphine gas, which is a mitochondrial poison. There is no known antidote for aluminium phosphide. The patient described in this case study survived following rapid treatment which included taking baking soda and coconut oil, as well as supportive care, and it was concluded that coconut oil had a significant use as an added part of the treatment protocol in this type of poisoning.3

ANTI-MICROBIAL
A few researchers have known for some time that a derivative of coconut oil, lauric acid and monolaurin, are safe antimicrobial agents that can either kill completely or stop the growth of some of the most dangerous viruses and bacteria. Many bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics but herbal oils such as the oils of oregano and the major fatty acid from coconut oil, lauric acid, which the body turns into the monoglyceride, monolaurin, are showing great promise as anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents. Monolaurin, in particular, is being shown to be useful in the prevention and treatment of severe bacterial infections, especially those that are difficult to treat or are antibiotic resistant. Difficult bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus as well as other bacteria have been studied here in the United States in research groups such as Dr. H.G. Preuss’s group at Georgetown University. They found that monolaurin combined with herbal essential oils inhibited pathogenic bacteria both in the petri dish (in vitro) and also in mice (in vivo).4

[COLOR="Red"]REFERENCES

Beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil on lipid parameters and in vitro LDL oxidation. K.G.Nevin and T. Rajamohan, Clinical Biochemistry 37,2004;830-835).
A Diet Rich in Coconut Oil Reduces Diurnal Postprandial Variations in Circulating Plasminogen Activator Antigen and Fasting Lipoprotein (a) Compared with a Diet Rich in Unsaturated Fat in Women. H. Muller, A.S. Lindman, A. Blomfeldt, I. Seljeflot and J.I. Pedersen. Journal of Nutrition. 133:3422-3427, 2003.
Successful treatment of acute aluminium phosphide poisoning: possible benefit of coconut oil. S. Shahin, R. Mojgan, P. Abdolkarim, R. Mmohammad-Hosein, A. Mohammad. Human & Experimental Toxicology, 24:215-218, 2005).
Minimum inhibitory concentrations of herbal essential oils and monolaurin for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Preuss HG, Echard B, Enig M, Brook I, Elliott TB. Molecular Cell Biochemistry, 2005:272:29-34).[/COLOR]

[scandalouslyglam]

Thank you Fawn. Such an educated voice of reason. Thanks!

[LoraJR72]

This may be one of the reasons why I haven't tried coconut oil for cooking or rubbing it into my skin. I love African Shea Butter! Anyway, I rely mostly on Avocado, Sesame, Grapeseed, and Extra Virgin Oils to my raw veggies sparingly. A little goes a long way, IMHO.

As for Oprah, I remember years ago, when she lost 67lbs. on her liquid diet and gained it all back. Definitely the Queen of the Yo-Yo Diets!

[thestreets]

basically there is research showing both sides, so depends on what you want to believe (as most things in science). how the studies were conducted and who paid for them is one important factor to consider. i use coconut oil, but i dont overuse it, i am of northern/western european descent and i doubt my ancestors were eating coconuts. i rely more on fish, butter, and olive oil (since it would be closer)

i think the most important point is to not trust one person to be the source of all your info. do the research yourself(super easy nowadays with most journals in online form), from many different sources, don't rely on second hand info from someone else.

if im going to believe something that impacts my health i want to know that i found and read the information myself and didnt just take someone's word for it.

[jacksmixedtape]

Originally Posted by Leo41

Within 4 months my LDL went up 50 points, with no other changes in my WOE. Now I'm not overly concerned about cholesterol numbers, but I don't think a dramatic change like that is good, and my endo was especially concerned. I stopped the coconut oil, and within 3 months, my LDL was back to the lower number. This may be ONLY my body's response, but I don't think that coconut oil is the panacea that everyone believes. I experienced no real benefits in terms of reducing hunger (touted on these boards) or weight loss, but, again, that may be just me.

This happened to me too. My dad's side of the family has really high cholesterol anyway (200-300 LDL range) and my grandmother is 96, so this might not pose a threat. And yet the fact that the CO caused such a big jump in LDL without any noticeable benefits doesn't make it worthwhile for me. It's great that some people derive benefits from it, though!

[Silver Spice]

CO is not good for people with inflammatory issues. But for those who can use it, I think they should.

[afuentes]

Saturated fat or any fat is only a bad thing if you are consuming high amounts of unhealthy, high glycemic carbs. I wish they would get it right. For me......it works absolutely beautiful. I guess I can only speak for myself though.