ad pondus omnium

In my daily search for news I ran across this article describing a study considering the effect of diet on pilot performance:

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=106&sid=1779702

At first glance I knew I needed to see the study for myself. So far I have managed to find this abstract:

https://cdmrpcures.org/ocs/index.php/mhrf/mhrf09/paper/view/1492

On the one hand I am glad to see there is another chink in the armor of the anti-saturated fat regime. On the other I worry about the testing protocol in relation to the differences between the high-fat, high-carbohydrate, and high-protein diets. In other words, I seriously doubt the study's researchers have considered the quality of either the fat, carbohydrates, or proteins in the various diets. And when I say quality I am talking about the difference between fresh, whole foods in contrast to pre-packaged imitation foods. Considering the article talked about brownies, pizzas, and fat-free cheese, I have a feeling whole foods were not part of the protocol.

And now a moment for a seemingly dissenting opinion. A couple months ago the sensational headline "High-Fat Diet May Make You Stupid and Lazy" hit the news.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539158,00.html
http://www.livescience.com/health/090812-fat-lazy-stupid.html

The study mentioned was actually entitled "Deterioration of physical performance and cognitive function in rats with short-term high-fat feeding." The abstract can be found here http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.09-139691v1, although I did download a copy of the full text of the article in case anyone is interested in the technical details. I was able to downloaded this study and did so in order to see the feeding protocols.

The news articles quote one of the study's authors Andrew Murray as saying: "We hope that the findings of our study will help people to think seriously about reducing the fat content of their daily food intake to the immediate benefit of their general health, well-being, and alertness." However, I wanted to see exactly what this so-called high fat diet was.

In fact, the diet of the high-fat experimental group had a "fatty acid composition of ... 27% saturated fatty acid, 48% monounsaturated fatty acid, and 25% polyunsaturated fatty acid." That composition would be a liquid at room temperature, and therefore would qualify as an oil, not a fat. And nearly three quarters of the composition are unsaturated fatty acids that the media keeps saying are good for us. Obviously, the media spin machine went into overdrive over this story. The reality is that we should avoid most cooking oils, fried foods, snack foods, etc. These are what will make you stupid and lazy.

At the very least, saturated fat is not the demon the medical industry has made it. Maybe someday that will become common knowledge. Until then, I will continue to enjoy my vegetables with a healthy dollop of real butter, my peaches in a bowl of cream, my chicken with the skin still attached, and my steak without the fat removed. I think it's time to start cooking dinner.