Beef Cleared of Cholesterol Concerns
“There’s a strong public perception that beef raises blood cholesterol levels because some of the fatty acids are saturated,” says Dr. French. “With this, and earlier studies, we have scientifically tested this hypothesis. Even when our subjects were eating beef twice a day, their total and LDL blood cholesterol levels were the same as when they were eating a diet of primarily chicken, beans and pulses.”
Working with Dr. Tom Clandinin, a Professor of Nutrition at University of Alberta, Dr. French designed diets that were high and low in beef fat but had a consistent total fat level of 36 per cent of calories. This fat intake mimics typical Canadian eating patterns.
While on the high beef fat diets, the nine subjects enjoyed meals with up to four ounces (100 g) of trimmed rib steak, lean ground beef, beef sausage, luncheon meats twice a day. Then a calculated amount beef fat was added to make each day consistent.
Since polyunsaturated fat is known to counter the negative effects of some saturated fats, the researchers tested this possibility as well. But whether the diets contained high or low levels of polyunsaturated fat, in the form of linoleic acid, the results were the same. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (sometimes referred to as bad cholesterol) and HDL (good) cholesterol remained unchanged in these subjects who initially had normal cholesterol levels.
“We hear a lot of negative comments about saturated fats,” says Dr. French. “But saturated fats in the diet can have beneficial effects in some essential metabolic processes. For example, saturated fats lower stress hormone levels and help blood flow by reducing peripheral vascular resistance.”
“Our study’s results mean that Canadians can enjoy beef as part of a balanced diet, such as that recommended in Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating,” concludes Dr. French.
A recent study from the University of Laval showed that lean beef can even be enjoyed by people who are being treated for high blood cholesterol levels. Low fat diets containing lean beef were just as effective in lowering cholesterol as those containing poultry or lean fish.
Beef is the best source of readily-absorbed iron, as well as providing other essential nutrients such as protein, B vitamins and zinc. Canadians can choose from a wide variety of extra lean, lean and regular beef cuts.
