That's interesting. How do you find out if you process fats well or not? Genetic testing?

That's how some of the commenters found out. For me, one of my fat-processing issues was obvious from childhood because of digestive issues. The other is the one I shared with my father; saturated fats build up in our arteries very quickly after they're eaten (or, in the case of coconut oil, rubbed on my skin).

My dad was in bad shape heartwise in his forties, but turned his health around by giving up saturated fats. This was before anyone heard of cholesterol, etc.; he had a doctor who was ahead of his time. The few times he ate the wrong fats in a restaurant meal, he ended up in the hospital. Still, until fairly recently the medical authorities insisted fat build-up was a slow process, and no one could possibly get chest pains that way. I remember my cardiologist's shock when he drew my blood for a test and found so much fat floating in it. (Sorry--that sounds gross.)

Aside from coconut oil, many Americans eat a lot of fat anyway. I know that I have increased fats since I decreased carbs.

Few of us on this particular forum are teenagers. Alisande, wouldn't years of eating higher fat have obvious physical consequences already to middle aged people who have a fat processing problem even without adding coconut?

It seems likely, Lucille, but I don't have enough knowledge of biochemistry to answer that with any confidence. All I can cite is my own experience. I think my difficulty digesting fats is quite separate from the saturated-fat issue.

Not everyone is quick to make a connection between a food consumed and a physical symptom, especially if the food is consumed on a regular basis and the symptoms are chronic.

Thanks for sharing the information. I found it really interesting and will have to give it more thought and some serious research. I've spent the better part of my adult life studying the science of "fat" and our diet.

There are exceptions to nearly everything when it comes to humans and diseases/conditions; so what works for one person may be deadly for another. Or a little is good, and too much is bad.... Even something like getting your gallbladder out, having an ostomy or ileostomy, diabetes-related autonomic neuropathy affecting the digestive system, are just a few things that will alter how you metabolize different fats. And now throw in genetics.....

I think the main problem with medical advice is the "one size fits all" approach perpetuated by medical professionals and other "experts". We are all individuals. But it's probably safe to say that eating a variety of primarily unprocessed fresh foods and a high fiber diet should help improve most people's health,

I do agree with Alisande to the extent that there are too many gullible people who run from one unproven miracle or half truth to another in their sincere efforts to improve their health. Some of the practices people I know follow are nothing if not ridiculous, as have been some of the comments over time that have appeared in this forum.

Legitimate sources suggest that while the science has made great advances, little is still known about many of the major health issues that can prematurely end or prolong life and related topics like nutrition, etc. Those who leap on the bandwagon du jour are as likely to be doing themselves harm as good. But don't tell them that, they hold their practices so tightly they become like religious beliefs. Try telling someone their religious beliefs are irrational or unsupported by facts.