Several people recommended cutting down on fat to reduce colesterol. I found the following on the benefits of saturated fat. There's more about it here
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/22/7-Reasons-to-Eat-More-Saturated-Fat.aspx 7 Reasons to Eat More Saturated Fat Posted by: Dr. Mercola<http://articles.mercola.com/members/Dr.-Mercola/default.aspx> September 22 2009 Tim Ferriss of *The Four Hour Work Week*<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307353133/optimalwellnessc>has posted an exclusive excerpt from Drs. Michael and Mary Eades’ newest book, *The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle*<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307450716/optimalwellnessc>. The two doctors note that no matter how the story spins from the denizens of the anti-fat camp, one piece of their advice remains staunchly constant: “You should sharply limit your intake of saturated fats.” But will saturated fats really increase your risk of heart disease and raise your cholesterol? In a word, no. In fact, humans need them, and here are just a few reasons why: *1) Improved cardiovascular risk factors* Saturated fat plays a key role in cardiovascular health. The addition of saturated fat to the diet reduces the levels of a substance called lipoprotein (a) that correlates strongly with risk for heart disease. Research has shown that when women diet, those eating the greatest percentage of the total fat in their diets as saturated fat, lose the most weight. *2) Stronger bones* Saturated fat is required for calcium to be effectively incorporated into bone. According to one of the foremost research experts in dietary fats and human health, Dr. Mary Enig, Ph.D., there’s a case to be made for having as much as 50 percent of the fats in your diet as saturated fats for this reason. *3) Improved liver health* Saturated fat has been shown to protect the liver from alcohol and medications, including acetaminophen and other drugs commonly used for pain and arthritis. *4) Healthy lungs* For proper function, the airspaces of the lungs have to be coated with a thin layer of lung surfactant. The fat content of lung surfactant is 100 percent saturated fatty acids. Replacement of these critical fats by other types of fat makes faulty surfactant and potentially causes breathing difficulties. *5) Healthy brain* Your brain is mainly made of fat and cholesterol. The lion’s share of the fatty acids in the brain are actually saturated. A diet that skimps on healthy saturated fats robs your brain of the raw materials it needs to function optimally. *6) Proper nerve signaling* Certain saturated fats, particularly those found in butter, lard, coconut oil, and palm oil, function directly as signaling messengers that influence metabolism, including such critical jobs as the appropriate release of insulin. *7) Strong immune system* Saturated fats found in butter and coconut oil (myristic acid and lauric acid) play key roles in immune health. Loss of sufficient saturated fatty acids in white blood cells hampers their ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. cheers Kirsteen
