Dr. Mercola January 02 2008 2,033 views
Researchers are now stating that margarines which are "trans fatty acid free" or have moderate amounts of trans unsaturated fat appear to be a healthier choice than butter. Compared with butter, both types of margarine had healthier effects on the types of cholesterol linked to increasing the risk of heart disease, Butter and margarine contain varying proportions of different types of fatty acids. There are a number of types -- including saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids -- and each type has unique effects on different kinds of cholesterol.
Total cholesterol levels were 3.5% lower on the margarine diet, and 5.4% lower on the trans fatty acid free margarine diet, than on the butter diet. And LDL cholesterol levels were 4.9 % lower on the margarine diet, and 6.7 % lower after the trans fatty acid free diet, than on the butter diet.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998;68:768-777.
COMMENT: This is an excellent study that will demonstrate how one can use a superficial understanding of health to make a recommendation that looks healthy but will actually devastate your health. Traditional medicine does not understand that health is MUCH more than a lower cholesterol level. Folks, this new non-trans fat is still liquid plastic. Do you really want a slightly lower cholesterol with cell membranes that will not function properly??? These plastics were never designed to be in your body. Many of you know I am fond of stating that if you have these or any of the older margarines in your home, you need to seriously reflect on which neighbor or relative that you don’t like and give them the margarine. You do NOT want that in your house at all. One needs to avoid this fat at all costs. Aside from margarine there are many hidden sources of trans fat such as many salad dressing, most all crackers, most mayonnaise (grape seed oil type would be the exception) and most all fried foods.
Having read an article stating that Margarine is only one molecule away from being Tupperware and that Butter is far safer and healthier...........now I read that the new Margarines are better than butter.
In the UK we have the Flora margarine sponsored Marathon annually............having asked the British Heart Foundation if margarine is safe to eat rather than butter, they recommend both it seems.
Is this a case; dare I say, like the proverbial Statin..........driven by marketing and brainwashing the consumer into thinking a product is safe when, maybe it is not ?
Reading various research statements regarding fats, I have come to the conclusion that what I have always known for years; that the most dangerous problem with the circulatory system is not fat intake; moderate of course, but STRESS and the signals that are sent to every organ in the body blowing fuses that we are not always weary of.
Everything in moderation appears to be the way forward and a Mediterranean diet; fruit and veg and exercise and of course..........good genes.
There is one danger out their of course after taking all the right foods and exercise and being healthy; just keep your eye out for the number 10 bus, something that the so called experts appear not to have entered into their equations...........best look left then right then left again before crossing the road.