Fats – Misattributed and Misunderstood

Alberts, B., Johnson, A., & Lewis, J. et al. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science.
Provides a detailed examination of lipid structure, metabolism, and their role in cellular processes.

Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Møller, I. M., & Murphy, A. (2015). Plant Physiology and Development. Sinauer Associates.
Explores lipid synthesis during photosynthesis and their centrality to plant energy storage.

Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2015). Biochemistry. W. H. Freeman.
Comprehensive insights into lipid metabolism and their physiological roles.

Leonard, W. R., & Robertson, M. L. (1997). “Comparative primate energetics and hominid evolution.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 102(2), 265–281.
Discusses the metabolic role of dietary fats in supporting the energy-intensive development of the human brain, contrasting it with other primate species.

Calder, P. C. (2015). “Functional roles of fatty acids and their effects on human health.” Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 39(1 Suppl), 18S–32S.
Explores the critical roles of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in regulating inflammation, cell signalling pathways, and overall metabolic health.

Kang, J. X., & Leaf, A. (1996). “Evidence that free polyunsaturated fatty acids modify Na+/K+-ATPase activity in cardiac myocytes.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 93(8), 3542–3546.
Details the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in regulating cellular function, particularly their protective effects on cardiovascular health through modulation of cardiac cell activity.

Micha, R., Peñalvo, J. L., Cudhea, F., et al. (2017). “Association between dietary factors and mortality from heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes in the United States.” JAMA, 317(9), 912–924.
Evaluates how saturated fats and processed oils significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, contributing to higher mortality rates.

Hu, F. B., & Willett, W. C. (2002). “Optimal diets for prevention of coronary heart disease.” JAMA, 288(20), 2569–2578.
Discusses how diets high in saturated fats contribute to increased inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk, highlighting dietary strategies for reducing coronary heart disease incidence.

Harcombe, Z. (2017). “Dietary fat guidelines have no evidence base: Where next for public health nutritional advice?” British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(10), 769–774.
Critiques historical nutritional guidelines that broadly demonised dietary fats, highlighting the nuanced and complex roles fats play in health and disease.

Spector, A. A. (1999). “Essentiality of fatty acids.” Lipids, 34(Suppl. 1), S1–S3.
Highlights the essential roles unsaturated fatty acids play in cellular function, metabolic regulation, and maintaining overall human health.

Dewailly, E., Blanchet, C., Gingras, S., Lemieux, S., & Holub, B. J. (2002). Cardiovascular disease risk factors and n-3 fatty acid status in the adult population of James Bay Cree. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 76(1), 85–92.
Examines the Inuit dietary paradox, challenging the misconception that these diets are protective against heart disease, showing evidence of arterial plaques despite high activity levels.

Calder, P. C. (2020). “Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes.” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) – Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 1865(11), 158741.
Explores the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids, highlighting their potential for reducing chronic inflammation and supporting systemic metabolic health.

Hotamisligil, G. S. (2006). “Inflammation and metabolic disorders.” Nature, 444(7121), 860–867.
Examines the relationship between dietary fats, chronic inflammation, and the development of metabolic disorders, highlighting dietary factors as key drivers of systemic inflammation.

Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). “Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers.” Science, 360(6392), 987–992.
Discusses dietary impacts on environmental sustainability, emphasising plant-based diets as effective strategies to significantly lower ecological burdens and enhance planetary health.

Willett, W., Rockström, J., Loken, B., et al. (2019). “Food in the Anthropocene: The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems.” The Lancet, 393(10170), 447–492.
Advocates dietary shifts towards reduced reliance on animal-based fats, promoting plant-focused eating patterns to improve both planetary sustainability and human health.

Steinfeld, H., Gerber, P., Wassenaar, T., et al. (2006). Livestock’s Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Examines the significant environmental and health impacts associated with livestock production, particularly highlighting issues related to animal-derived fat consumption and its global implications.

Sacks, F. M., Lichtenstein, A. H., Wu, J. H. Y., et al. (2017). “Dietary fats and cardiovascular disease: A presidential advisory from the American Heart Association.” Circulation, 136(3), e1–e23.
A comprehensive review and official statement from the American Heart Association, reaffirming that replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats reduces cardiovascular disease risk.

de Souza, R. J., Mente, A., Maroleanu, A., Cozma, A. I., Ha, et al. (2015). “Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.” BMJ, 351, h3978.
Large meta-analysis confirming strong associations between trans fats and health risks, and suggesting saturated fat reduction is most beneficial when replaced with polyunsaturated fat, not with refined carbohydrates.