Cholesterol Skeptics
Ravnskov's Article - I

Ravnskov starts by declaring that "An almost endless number of observations and experiments have effectively falsified the hypothesis that dietary cholesterol and fats, and a high cholesterol level play a role in the causation of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease." In other words, everything we have been taught about needing to lower our cholesterol by dieting in order to reduce or risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is incorrect. Ravnskov lists his claims one by one:

It seems that there is no meaningful correlation between heart disease and fat consumption around the world - countries where more fat is consumed (including saturated fat) don't necessarily have a higher rate of heart disease. In addition, in countries where fat consumption increased over a long period, there is no consistent increase in heart disease within those countries.

On particularly surprising study followed Japanese immigrants (who typically, in Japan have a low rate of CHD) who came to the United States.The study found that the immigrants who continued to eat lean Japanese food, but became "Americanized" in their lifestyle, had twice the CHD rate compared to immigrants who retained a Japanese lifestyle but ate typical American food!.

Comparing diets of patients who had CHD and a control group showed no significant differences in saturated fat consumption in six separate studies.

In 21 cohort studies that included very large populations, no correlation was found between CHD and saturated fat consumption, or with poly-unsaturated fat consumption.

Controlled randomized clinical trials should be the best way to determine such issues. In a meta-analysis of nine such trials where the only difference was in altered fat consumption, coronary and total mortality were not impacted.

Despite our belief that olive oil has protective values, none of the nine cohort studies comparing monounsaturated fat intake of those who had CHD, and those who did not have CHD, provided any support for this assumption!

In Ravnskov's opinion, the fat content of your diet, in itself does not have any impact on CHD and total mortality, everything else being equal. (Of course, if you eat a diet that will cause you to gain weight, the additional weight and possible hypertension may put you at risk).

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