The idea that saturated fat might be harmful to our health has sparked controversy for decades. In recent years, counter-narratives have surged: suggesting that concerns over saturated fat were overblown, that LDL cholesterol doesn’t matter, or that the original diet-heart hypothesis has been debunked. These claims have become especially popular in online wellness spaces and certain dietary communities, often wrapped in compelling but misleading rhetoric.
So what does the best available evidence actually say? And how should we think about saturated fat, LDL cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk in the current day?
In this wide-ranging interview, originally recorded for the Chasing Clarity podcast, Alan and Danny explore the scientific consensus around saturated fat’s impact on blood lipids, why LDL and apoB are central to atherosclerotic disease, and how dietary patterns can meaningfully reduce risk.
Importantly, they also address some of the most persistent myths and half-truths that fuel confusion, from flawed interpretations of the Seven Countries Study to misrepresentations of newer meta-analyses.