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Medical Opinion Is Not Supported By Medical Research
Unsaturated Fats and Arteriosclerosis
VLDL's, LDL's, and HDL's, which are considered when evaluating patients at risk for coronary artery disease and arteriosclerosis, are comprised of unsaturated fats and cholesterol. They contain no saturated fats.
The lipid component of the arteriosclerotic plaque is comprised almost entirely of cholesterol and unsaturated fats. The plaque is the result of insulin oxidizing the unsaturated fats in the vessel wall. Cholesterol is then laid down as a protective measure. Saturated fats cannot be oxidized.
Inflammation, Flax Seed and EPA
Flax seed oil is one of the most harmful "unsaturated" oils recommended by nutritionists and doctors today. It is recommended for its high content (60%) of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of fat (fatty acid). The body's primary use for this fatty acid is to produce EPA (found in the sea vegetable nori, and fish). From EPA, we make series 3 prostaglandins to fight inflammation. The problem is our bodies are very inefficient at making EPA. Less than 5% of the alpha-linolenic acid is converted to EPA. This means that the excess is incorporated into 1.) VLDL's, LDL's, and HDL's, and 2.) tissues, such as arteries and the cell membranes of other tissues making them (tissues) a high risk for free-radical damage (a reaction between carbohydrate, insulin, and the unsaturated fats found in the arterial wall are the initiating cause of arteriosclerosis).
A better approach to inflammation is to first address carbohydrate intake, see Pattern V, then address animal protein and nuts. Both of these typically contain large enough quantities of arachadonic acid...an unsaturated fatty acid that is converted to series 2 prostaglandins that initiates the inflammatory response.
Note: Nori, the primary ingredient in Aerobic Support, is an excellent source of EPA as it not only supplies EPA, but all of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes needed for us to make our own.
Energy
Like long-chain saturated fats, unsaturated fats require carnitine for transport accross the mitochondrial membrane before it can be burned as energy (ATP production).
Short, Medium, and Long Chain Saturated Fats
In the blood, saturated fats are found as free triglycerides (i.e., free-floating so to speak), not as components of VLDL's, LDL's, or HDL's as these contain only unsaturated fats.
Long-chain saturated fats:
- come from three primary sources: animal, fowl, and excess carbohydrates. As we get older, we make longer chains of saturated fats.
- if being produced from excess carbohydrates, hamper the body's ability to fight inflammation. This is due to the liver being continually required to produce saturated fats at the expense of unsaturated fats. The anti-inflammatory response being the first step in healing tissue.
- require carnitine for transport into the mitochondria so that it can be burned energy (ATP production).
Short and medium-chain saturated fats:
- are primarily found in tropical seeds and nuts. Coconut, for example, contains 95% short and medium chain saturated fats. The predominant fatty acid being lauric acid (C:12)
- support immune function as they dissolve the cell membranes of many of the bacterial, fungal and viral microorganisms
- support thyroid function
- are easily and readily used for energy as they do not require carnitine for transport across the mitochondrial membrane,
- strengthen cell membranes and arteries. In fact, saturated oils are the only oils that cannot be damaged by free-radicals and heat.
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