Now experts say: You shouldn’t ditch ‘ bad fats’ after all

IT has long been the advice from global health chiefs in the battle against heart disease.

They have urged us to replace ‘bad’ saturated fats like butter and cheese with ‘good’ unsaturated fats such as avocado and olive oil.

But now top experts have insisted that many foods high in saturated fats like dairy products can actually boost health. Last year the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued official advice saying everyone should cut down on milk, eggs and red meat to maintain a healthy heart.

However, scientists around the world have penned a joint article criticising that advice. It said if people reduce milk, cheese and eggs, it is unlikely to prevent disease – and could actually damage health.

They stressed many foods thought of as ‘bad’ due to their high saturated fat content are dense in important nutrients and not associated with higher risk of heart disease.

The article, published today in the British Medical Journal, warned that cutting down on dairy products could lead to calcium deficiency and bone disease osteoporosis, adding that red meat is a vital source of protein and iron.

Co-author Professor Ian Givens, from Reading University, said: ‘Not all saturated fats are equal – and not all fatty foods are bad. We have to look beyond a simple message that saturated fat is bad and think about the food as a whole and what other nutrients it contains. You can’t compare foods like hamburgers to yoghurts and eggs.

‘Blanket advice against all saturated fat means people will miss out on vital nutrients. For most people dairy products are the biggest source of saturated fat, but these are also vital sources of calcium and iodine. Cutting them out puts people at risk of osteoporosis. ‘ He added: ‘Scientists are often accused of changing our minds, but we have actually been very consistent for the last ten years about the beneficial effects of dairy products.’

The advice comes after Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, 52, lost seven stone – down from 22st to 15st – after increasing the amount of saturated fat in his diet. He cut out sugar and refined carbohydrates but ate full-fat dairy.

Mr Watson claimed the strict diet reversed his type-2 diabetes. The BMJ article was responding to advice issued by WHO last year saying adults and children should limit saturated fat to 30g a day – equal to a large bar of chocolate or six slices of cheese. Experts said too much saturated fat can increase cholesterol in blood, raising the risk of heart disease.

But the BMJ article said: ‘We think that recommendations to reduce intake of total saturated fat without considering specific fatty acids and food sources are not based on evidence and will distract from other more effective, food-based recommendations.’

Tim Chico, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Sheffield University, said: ‘The authors of this opinion piece point out that recent studies have shown not all saturated fats are as harmful as others. It is challenging to prove scientifically what exact diet is best to reduce heart disease.

‘I advise people to be reassured about what we already know with great confidence – that a diet high in vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds and olive oil, and low in processed food, coupled with regular physical activity slashes the risk of heart disease.’ Tracy Parker, of the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘Eating too much saturated fat is linked to raised cholesterol levels, which in turn increase a person’s risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.’

‘Dairy is a vital source of calcium’