Conned Again - Low Fat Diets Compromise America's Health

Just how much do you know abut fats and oils? Red flag! Weight gain! Heart attacks! High cholesterol! Bad stuff.

"Low fat", "reduced fat", "no fat" foods flood the market. Research has tried to prove that good health is dependent on minimizing dietary fats and oils. And Americans are sicker and yes, fatter, than ever. What went wrong? And when?

It may have started with the cholesterol scare some years ago that almost put the egg industry out of business. Couple that with media hype and lack of adequate information and you get a lot of fearful people. Somehow those researchers failed to mention that cholesterol is important for normal production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Even if none were eaten, the liver would manufacture 3,000 milligrams daily (equal to 1 dozen eggs).

Truly, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and in the case of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), it was a disaster. In the years since the first cholesterol scare and the resultant drastic reduction of dietary fats and oils in the Standard American Diet (SAD), health norms have not improved. On the contrary, America is sicker. Recent research shows that low cholesterol can even be linked to depression and suicide.

In his book, Smart Fats, Michael Schmidt outlines the seriousness of the misinformation and how it is affecting the physical, mental and emotional health of the nation. He tells us that low EFAs can cause body malfunction in multiple areas:

brain tumors
nerves (pain, numbness)
frequent urination
cracked skin (heels/hands)
dyslexia
dry/rough skin
weight regulation
poor coordination
seizure disorders
pancreas
central nervoius system
learning problems
mood swings
vision diseases/dry eyes
dry hair
behavior problems

Now that we're beginning to understand just how important Essential Fatty Acids are, where do we find them?

cold water fish (2-3 x wk)
evening primrose
raw nuts and seeds
raw milk
grapeseed oil, coconut oil, butter or ghee
fertile eggs

A balanced diet contains fats and oils. The problem now is getting enough of the good oils into our daily diet. A good ratio of EFAs to the rest our diet is 30% good oils to 40% carbohydrates to 30% protein, quite different from our current trend of top heavy carbs and no oils.

Another challenge is a blocked fatty acid pathway causing non-absorption. Some of the known blocks are:

poor digestion
low enzymes obesity/low weight
trans-fatty acids
stress alcohol
nicotine
medications
diabetes
allergies
sugar
unbalanced diet
saturated fats
vitamins/minerals (correct balance)

Trans-fatty acids or "altered fats" impair the enzymes needed to convert dietary fats to DHA, one of the most important essential fatty acids. Trans-fatty acids make the cell membranes impermeable causing cellular dysfunction. Sludging of the blood, aging, learning, mood and behavior disorders are linked to high levels of trans-fatty acids in the body, as well as contributing to brain and central nervous system disorders, and those of the heart and blood vessels.

Peak mental performance from youth through old age can be impaired just because of our choice of foods! With the brain being 60% fat, it is in constant need of sufficient EFAs t provide the critical long-chain fatty acids. The brain must also have sufficient DHA for the proper degree of electrical activity for nerve ending communication. With the latest hype on lowering cholesterol (read that "fats") there's a good chance we'll also see more of our children with low brain function, as well as their parents who have been conned into taking medication to force cholesterol down to what is now being considered dangerous levels.

We're also seeing vision problems like never before and so it was no surprise to learn that EFA in the form of DHA is heavily concentrated in the photo-receptors of the retina, and according to Schmidt, is vital for proper vision.

And there is much, much more about the benefit of good oils in our diets. I think we could safely say that we have taken a great step backward in our health by believing the cholesterol myth. Additionally we have Americans in a perpetual diet mode eating no fat, low fate foods, which is also being touted as a way to reverse heart disease, At the same time, obesity and heart disease continue to grow in our nation.

Just one question-- what's wrong with this picture?

Carol Keppler, B.S., Ed., has spent the last 30 years developing her proprietary systems and products. An Energy Intuitive, she reads the energy output of the cells of the organs/systems of the body through intuition confirmed by kinesiology/muscle testing. Her accuracy rate is 97% or better - one of the highest on the planet. Carol's clientele spans the globe. Her QuickScan method provides the solution for distance which is not a factor when working with intuition. Her trademarked SixStep System, AltWaters Technology, Body Chart System, QuickScan; and Energy Medicine Foundation have established her as a true pioneer in the energy medicine field. Please visit her websites altwaters.com altwaters.com and energymedicinefoundation.org energymedicinefoundation.org You may email for more information also at