In this episode of The Metabolic Classroom, Professor Ben Bikman, an expert in metabolic research, discusses the debate surrounding saturated fat and its impact on insulin resistance.
Dietary Fat
Understanding Fats in Your Diet
Dietary fat is an essential macronutrient that your body needs for hormone production, vitamin absorption, cell membranes, and brain function. Despite decades of being vilified, research increasingly shows that natural fats—including saturated fats from whole foods—are not the villains they were made out to be. The real concern lies with highly processed seed oils and trans fats. For people following low-carb or keto diets, fat becomes the primary fuel source, and eating adequate fat is crucial for satiety and energy. Understanding the difference between natural fats from meat, fish, eggs, and dairy versus industrial seed oils helps you make healthier choices.
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Butter raised LDL; coconut oil didn’t—despite having more saturated fat (94% vs. 66%). In this 4‑week test, coconut oil matched olive oil for LDL and boosted HDL, and inflammation didn’t rise.