Saturated Fat “so named by the chemists for the way it is fully saturated with hydrogen atoms, without the double-bonded carbons that characterize unsaturated fats; has long been associated with heart disease” (Salt, Sugar & Fat) It is a primary cause of high cholesterol in the bloodstream, a waxy substance that leads to heart attacks and strokes which is a significant profit center for the pharmaceutical industry.

Examples of Saturated Fat

• Coconut Oil
• Palm Oil
• Butter
• Ghee
• Fast Food
• Lard
• Shortening

(MedlinePlus) “Saturated fat is a type of dietary fat. It is one of the unhealthy fats, along with trans fat. These fats are most often solid at room temperature. Foods like butter, palm and coconut oils, cheese, and red meat have high amounts of saturated fat. Too much saturated fat in your diet can lead to heart disease and other health problems”

Saturated fats are bad for your health in several ways:

Heart disease risk. Your body needs healthy fats for energy and other functions. But too much saturated fat can cause cholesterol to build up in your arteries (blood vessels). Saturated fats raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. (MedlinePlus)

Weight gain. Many high-fat foods such as pizza, baked goods, and fried foods have a lot of saturated fat. Eating too much fat can add extra calories to your diet and cause you to gain weight. All fats contain 9 calories per gram of fat. This is more than twice the amount found in carbohydrates and protein. (MedlinePlus)

Cutting out high-fat foods can help keep your weight in check and keep your heart healthy. Staying at a healthy weight can reduce your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. (MedlinePlus)