Traditional Fat Guidelines In Nutrition Killing Westerners, Scientists

Fat guidelines first set by US health experts in the 1970s have been subjected to re-examination in a recent study conducted by Zoe Harcombe, a researcher and Ph.D. candidate at University of the West of Scotland. The research, now published in the journal, OpenHeart, said that such fat guidelines are not supported by an efficient number of studies proving its validity.

"The bottom line is that there wasn't evidence for those guidelines to be introduced. One of the most important things that should have underpinned the guidelines is sound nutritional knowledge, and that was distinctly lacking," Harcombe said via a report from Time.

Harcombe further said that the advice to cut fat content particularly saturated fat, from red meat and dairy products in one's daily diet for 30% is 'arbitrary'.

"The 30% wasn't tested, let alone proven," she said pointing out that some results contradicted to the idea that fat is dangerous to our body specifically in clogging the heart arteries.

The Guardian, further cited the paper's explanation:

"It seems incomprehensible that dietary advice was introduced for 220 million Americans and 56 million UK citizens, given the contrary results from a small number of unhealthy men. The results of the present meta-analysis support the hypothesis that the available (randomized controlled trials) did not support the introduction of dietary fat recommendations in order to reduce (coronary heart disease) risk or related mortality," the research said.

The newly-published research has added to the existing debate as to what specific fatty foods are good or bad for the health further confusing the public, UT San Diego said.

The article further cited several studies arguing about 'the obesity paradox'.

"We were misled for many years. It was based on so-called 'expert opinions' that have shaped most of medicine, unfortunately. This is just one flagrant example. ," Dr. Eric Topol, a nationally prominent cardiologist-geneticist and chief academic officer for the Scripps Health network in San Diego County said.