Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 9/5/17


An extensive, international nutrition study by The Lancet found that lives could be extended by reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing consumption of saturated fats, setting off a wave of media coverage and opinion pieces, both pro and con.

The study, “Associations of fats and carbohydrate intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 18 countries from five continents (PURE): a prospective cohort study,” was published in the widely respected British medical journal. The article also was the subject of a recent presentation at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona.

"Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with an increased risk of total mortality but not with the risk of cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular disease mortality. Intake of total fat and each type of fat was associated with lower risk of total mortality. Higher saturated fat intake was associated with lower risk of stroke. Total fat and saturated and unsaturated fats were not significantly associated with risk of myocardial infarction or cardiovascular disease mortality," the researchers found. 

“Global dietary guidelines should be reconsidered in light of these findings," they concluded.

The study was led by Dr. Andrew Mente of Canada’s McMaster University. It included 135,000 adults globally who are involved in a long-term longitudinal study of nutrition. During follow-up, the researchers documented 5796 deaths and 4784 major cardiovascular disease events.

In media coverage, British cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra was quoted as saying it was time “for a complete U-turn” in Britain’s dietary advice and the demonization of fat.

Meanwhile, diabetes and obesity research director Jim Mann, of New Zealand’s University of Otago, said the study’s recommendations wouldn’t apply to most of that country’s citizens, because the study’s respondents “did not eat and live” like most New Zealanders.”

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