US Gov't To Withdraw Food Warnings About Dietary Cholesterol

An anonymous reader writes: The Washington Post reports on news from the U.S.'s top nutrition advisory panel, which plans to stop warning consumers about the amount of dietary cholesterol in foods. The government has been issuing these warnings for over 40 years, and they reaffirmed that decision as recently as five years ago. "[T]he finding, which may offer a measure of relief to breakfast diners who prefer eggs, follows an evolution of thinking among many nutritionists who now believe that for a healthy adult cholesterol intake may not significantly impact the level of cholesterol in the blood or increase the risk of heart disease. The greater danger, according to this line of thought, lies in foods heavy with trans fats and saturated fats. ... But the change on dietary cholesterol also shows how the complexity of nutrition science and the lack of definitive research can contribute to confusion for Americans who, while seeking guidance on what to eat, often find themselves afloat in conflicting advice."

Comments

Unsettling science

[mi]

But the change on dietary cholesterol also shows [...] the complexity of nutrition science and the lack of definitive research

Awesome. And, while we are it, the War on Fat was in error too. Decades after telling us one thing — coercing and outright forcing us to follow its "scientifically proven" and "common sense" guidelines, the government now admit to have been full of shit. Will anybody prosecuted?

One can't help, but wonder, what other famously "settled" science will come apart?

Re:Unsettling science

[Chandon Seldon]

It's not clear that saturated fat is bad for you either. That leaves trans fats as bad, and Omega-6's as questionable.

The trick is that "the level of cholesterol in the blood" is not a meaningful health indicator. The ratio of LDL to HDL is much more useful. And saturated fat actually makes that ratio slightly better (while raising the values of both). Thus, the best evidence indicates that saturated fat is *good* for you.

Re:Unsettling science

[Bonzoli]

Omega 3 is generally picked up when creatures are browsing different seeds. Our current farms feed them, corn and antibiotics. Go with Flax seeds, Walnuts, and oddly Chia.
Farm raised fish sadly doesn't have it, as it requires Krill to be fed to them. Which farms do not feed the fish.
Hydrogenated oil and High fructose crap and aspartame, these 3 products combined pretty much are going to shut down every important system in your body over time. GMO'ing your food so it can absorb more roundup pesticides which in the end you eat, is also a winner. Hexane also gets a big thumbs down.

Try walking 30 minutes a day at lunch. Does it really take an hour to eat? It takes me 5 minutes to eat lunch. Eat more plain nuts unroasted or glazed if your feeling like a snack.
Another sad fact is, most of those fresh vegetables/fruits are not fresh. They were picked green and completely lacking most of those trace elements a mature fruit/vegetable has when picked. Notice all the studies say, we tested a mature fruit or vegetable. Perhaps try frozen fresh vegetables and fruits, those are packed and frozen after ripening vs before. Salads without those saturated/hydrogenated dressings vs that pizza slice(I love pizza. Which also has hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup. I guess because its whipped up in a lab to trigger all my love for food sensors.).
Avoid Hydrogenated oil and High fructose crap and aspartame.

I wish I had listened to those old grey beards that told me to question more, before I became one. I'd be great deal healthier now.

Re:Unsettling science

[Anonymous Coward]

It's not clear that saturated fat is bad for you either. That leaves trans fats as bad, and Omega-6's as questionable.

The trick is that "the level of cholesterol in the blood" is not a meaningful health indicator. The ratio of LDL to HDL is much more useful. And saturated fat actually makes that ratio slightly better (while raising the values of both). Thus, the best evidence indicates that saturated fat is *good* for you.

Actually, they're finding while LDL to HDL on average is a good indicator, there are outliers who are at risk, even though those two numbers look good. They're now starting to do tests that break those two categories (LDL and HDL) up further into, I believe, 4 categories that can more accurately show problems the traditional blood tests don't.

Good news

[manu0601]

This is good news. We have known for a while that if you reduce cholesterol intake, your liver will produce more so that you get back to your equilibrium.

But some voices told us recently that a high cholesterol could not the root cause for heart diseases, but just an hint that something is wrong, like fever is not the reason why your are sick, but a consequence.

Re:Cereal Killers

[swell]

About time the world wakes up to science and puts down the commerce/government conspiracy to sell starch to a sick, fat, diabetic population. It's not good for your gas tank and it is not good for your body.

Dr. Atkins showed the way more than 30 years ago and more than 30 million people have a new lease on life thanks to his low carb / high fat diet. Since then the Caveman diet, the Paleo diet, the South Beach Diet and many others have joined the low carb mantra but the goddam medical and government establishment refuse to accept science. It's like global warming- there is no controversy except among the brain deficient. With any luck, the American medical establishment will some day embrace health and stop promoting killer cereals.