Eat Fat, Get Thin: Why the Fat We Eat Is the Key to Sustained Weight Loss and Vibrant Health: 5 (The Dr. Hyman Library)

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The book suggests that a diet high in fat, particularly saturated fat, will reduce the risk of a long list of conditions including heart disease and cancer. The article cited is a review of studies summarizing data around low-carbohydrate diets and diabetes. protein, and 56% carbohydrate), a high-fat, high-sugar “obesogenic diet” (24% fat, 24% protein, and 41% carbohydrate), and a calorie restricted diet (66% calorie restricted). The primary study that Eat Fat, Get Thin uses to make the argument for saturated fat is by Chowdhury et al. Page 39-40: “Despite the data that flooded in showing that cholesterol and dietary fat may not be the real drivers of heart disease — that sugar and refined carbs are the true drivers of heart disease…medical associations and the food industry pressed onward with the promotion of a low-fat diet for heart health” Criterion 2.

Eat Fat, Get Thin? | Science-Based Medicine Eat Fat, Get Thin? | Science-Based Medicine

It also claims that following the prescribed diet will prevent brain aging, dementia, seizures, depression, ADD, autism, trauma, autoimmune disease. The main conclusion of the review is that palm oil can be consumed as part of a “healthy balanced” diet and that it is likely to have little effect on cardiovascular outcomes. Hyman has worked with President Clinton, presenting at the Clinton Foundation's Health Matters, Achieving Wellness in Every Generation conference, and the Clinton Global Initiative, as well as with the World Economic Forum on global health issues. Because after all his talk about how bad low fat diets are- he is telling me to eat the same foods (ground turkey and greens) only to add some coconut oil and nuts. Additionally, the effects of individual components of extra virgin olive oil and their effects on cells may not translate to humans due to a number of factors including diet complexity, bioavailability, etc.

Of note, there was no claim that any of the individuals who received a transplant “reversed” their diabetes, only that their sensitivity to insulin improved. This book is full of information on how the typical American diet is a poisonous all you can eat buffet. The book uses this study to make the argument that saturated fat intake is not problematic for health if there is an adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

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Hyman crafted and helped introduce the Take Back Your Health Act of 2009 to the United States Senate to provide for reimbursement of lifestyle treatment of chronic disease. Eat Fat, Get Thin suggests that there are randomized controlled trials disputing this conclusion, however, they provide no evidence of this. Particularly it highlights conflicting data found in observational and prospective cohort data in humans.In conclusion, there is little to no evidence to support the claim that low-carb, high-fat diets are superior to low-fat diets for weight loss either in the broader literature or in the studies presented by Eat Fat, Get Thin.

Dr. Hyman’s Green Breakfast Smoothie - Dr. Mark Hyman Dr. Hyman’s Green Breakfast Smoothie - Dr. Mark Hyman

Additionally, the paper is more heavily focused on the polyphenol content of the beans and the potential for polyphenols to agglutinate erythrocytes in cell cultures, but not in humans. However, in a more recent population level study published in 2019, known as the SABOR study, a relationship was observed between both total fat intake and saturated fat and the risk of developing prostate cancer. The highest level of risk was found in individuals who had greater than 25% of their daily calories coming from added sugars, which is well above average intake in the US and other affluent countries. Improving dietary patterns by removing refined carbohydrates and processed foods is likely to be beneficial to health outcomes.In a review of 395 metabolic ward experiments (most lasting around 1 month in duration), removing saturated fat from the diet, in a variety of ways, led to significant decreases in both total and LDL cholesterol. The paper actually concludes that reducing both total and saturated fat is likely to be beneficial for cancer outcomes. Many of us have long been told that fat makes us fat, contributes to heart disease, and generally erodes our health. Overall, the claim made by the book does not line up with the bulk of the scientific literature available.