# Most mundane of pits -- McDonalds **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 10, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028 "2011-06-10T21:15:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/61 "2011-06-14T03:18:07Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Atkins specifically is ridiculous (and this laughable McDonalds diet in particular) because of the high amount of cholesterol, pressure on the kidneys, not to mention one double cheeseburger without bun is 50% of your daily saturated fat in take. GASP!!! [oh](http://thehealthyskeptic.org/new-study-puts-final-nail-in-the-saturated-fat-causes-heart-disease-coffin) [wait](http://blog.cholesterol-and-health.com/2010/01/saturated-fat-is-not-associated-with.html),I [forgot](http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/01/15/two-major-studies-conclude-that-saturated-fat-does-not-cause-heart-disease/), [never](http://onlinehealthnews.org/2010/02/saturated-fat-is-not-the-cause-of-heart-disease/) [mind](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/why-cholesterol-may-not-b_b_290687.html)… > [@](#): > > The saturated fat found mainly in meat and dairy products has a bad reputation, but a new analysis of published studies finds no clear link between people’s intake of saturated fat and their risk of developing heart disease. > In the new analysis, which combined the results of 21 previous studies, researchers found no clear evidence that higher saturated fat intakes led to higher risks of heart disease or stroke. > > A number of studies have linked the so-called Western diet to greater heart disease risks; that diet pattern is defined as one high in red meats and saturated fats – but it is also high in sweets and other refined carbohydrates like white bread. > [@](#): > > What if I told you that there’s absolutely no evidence to support the idea that saturated fat consumption causes heart disease? What if I told you that the 50+ years of cultural brainwashing we have all been subject to was based on small, poorly designed studies? And what if I told you that a review of large, well-designed studies published in reputable medical journals showed that there is absolutely no association between saturated fat and heart disease? > Well, that’s what I’m telling you. We’ve beed duped. Blindsided. Lied to. And we’ve suffered greatly as a result. Not only have we suffered from being encouraged to eat packaged and processed foods made with cheap, tasteless vegetable oils, but these very oils we were told would protect us from heart disease actually promote it! See my article How to Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease for more on that. > > The recent review I’m talking about is a meta-analysis published this week in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It pooled together data from 21 unique studies that included almost 350,000 people, about 11,000 of whom developed cardiovascular disease (CVD), tracked for an average of 14 years, and concluded that there is no relationship between the intake of saturated fat and the incidence of heart disease or stroke. > > Let me put that in layman’s terms for you: > Eating saturated fat doesn’t cause heart disease. > [@](#): > > So, what did the WHO/FAO report find with regard to relevant intervention studies? Here’s what: > > “…fatal CHD was not reduced by…the low-fat diets…” > > Just this week saw the publication of another huge study which assessed the relationship between saturated fat and heart disease [2]. This study was actually an amalgamation (meta-analysis) of 21 epidemiological studies. Taken all together, this review monitored almost 350,000 people over between 5 and 23 years. And here’s what it found: > > 1. No association between saturated fat and risk of heart disease > 2. No association between saturated fat and risk of stroke > > You know what this all means, don’t you? That there really is no evidence that saturated fat causes heart disease or cardiovascular disease generally. > [@](#): > > A recent meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition pooled together data from 21 unique studies that included almost 350,000 people, about 11,000 of whom developed cardiovascular disease (CVD), tracked for an average of 14 years, and concluded that there is no relationship between the intake of saturated fat and the incidence of heart disease or stroke. In fact, the “risk ratio” for the development of CVD as intake of saturated fat increased was 1.0, meaning that people who ate more saturated fat were no more or less likely to develop CVD. Golly, if all that saturated fat isn’t the problem, what in the world is? > [@](#): > > There’s no doubt about it, inflammation is key contributor to heart disease. A major study done at Harvard found that people with high levels of a marker called C-reactive protein (CRP) had higher risks of heart disease than people with high cholesterol. Normal cholesterol levels were NOT protective to those with high CRP. The risks were greatest for those with high levels of both CRP and cholesterol. > > Another predisposing factor to heart disease is \*\*insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, which leads to an imbalance in the blood sugar and high levels of insulin. \*\*This may affect as many as half of Americans over age 65. Many younger people also have this condition, which is sometimes called pre-diabetes. > > Although modern medicine sometimes loses sight of the interconnectedness of all our bodily systems, **blood sugar imbalances like these impact your cholesterol levels too. If you have any of these conditions, they will cause your good cholesterol to go down, while your triglycerides rise, which further increases inflammation and oxidative stress.** All of these fluctuations contribute to blood thickening, clotting, and other malfunctions – leading to cardiovascular disease. > [@Sitnam](#): > > I had no idea it was so easy. It’s always nice to get an education, isn’t it? > [@jz78817](#): > > I would venture a guess that at least the final “phase” of atkins is pretty close to an “ideal” diet. And you’d be right. > [@smaje1](#): > > it’s perfect for me to lose weight. I am a type 1 diabetic, so the fewer the carbs, the better my blood sugars. Fewer carbs means less insulin I have to give myself. And because I’ve dropped weight so quickly, I’m finding it a lot easier to work out, which I’ve been doing in addition to the diet. You are doing **exactly the right thing** for yourself. > [@MsWhatsit](#): > > This sounds pretty sciencey and cool but I’m wondering if you have a cite for it. Gee, since when are cites needed for things that everyone “just knows”? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/62 "2011-06-14T03:29:25Z")
I like how your first two ‘cites’ are to an unattributed article full of opinion and a blog post. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/63 "2011-06-14T03:31:37Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Seconded. I love it when ignorant people pop off at the mouth. It’s entertaining. Yeah, what the fuck does the [Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atkins-diet/my00648) know about it. > [@](#): > > Most people can lose weight on almost any diet plan that restricts calories — at least in the short term. Over the long term, though, studies show that low-carb diets like Atkins are no more effective than are standard high-carbohydrate diets and that most people regain the weight they lost regardless of diet plan. However, studies have shown that people who continued to follow diet plans such as Atkins for two years did lose an average of nearly 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms) overall. Some studies suggest that it’s not cutting carbs that leads to weight loss with Atkins. Instead, you may shed pounds because your food choices are limited and you eat less since the extra protein and fat keep you feeling full longer. The bottom line is that to lose weight you must reduce the calories you take in and increase the calories you burn. Traditional recommendations for weight loss advise losing 1 to 2 pounds (0.45 to 0.9 kilograms) a week by reducing calories and fat and emphasizing complex carbohydrates. Losing a large amount of weight rapidly could indicate that you’re losing water weight or lean tissue, rather than fat. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/64 "2011-06-14T03:38:34Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/65 "2011-06-14T05:32:42Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I like how your first two ‘cites’ are to an unattributed article full of opinion and a blog post. First two cites both cite: [The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition](http://www.ajcn.org/content/early/2010/01/13/ajcn.2009.27725.abstract) But they are easier and more pleasant to read. First cite also cites[This Guy:](http://www.drbriffa.com/about-2/) BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences – University College London (Department of Zoology) 1987 MB BS (Lond) University College London School of Medicine 1990 UK Health Journalist of the Year 1998 Leopold Hudson prize in Surgery UCL Medical School 1990 University of London merit award in Surgery 1990 Who is my third cite and himself cites: [Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism](http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=Ausgabe&Ausgabe=250361&ProduktNr=223977) as well as multiple other science journals, referencing multiple peer-reviewed studies in the post I link and from that post to others. FTR: I always go at LEAST two levels deep in any cite that isn’t clearly adequate on its own (i.e. the actual medical journals), checking the cites they are themselves citing. I never use a blind, unsupported blog post from an anonymous backgroundless joe to prove anything, because it doesn’t prove anything to ME.It’s because I do dig deeper that I come up with so many cites…that’s often how I find them; I’m not a fan of grabbing the first 3 things I see on google and running with it. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/66 "2011-06-14T05:35:51Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Yeah, what the fuck does the [Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atkins-diet/my00648) know about it. Not much that has anything to do with paying attention to the work that’s being done, since they are spewing the same unsupported crap as usual. If you’re really interested in learning/knowing something, follow up on the actual studies that are being and have been done, and the analyses of them. What you’ll learn is how little support there is for most of what the Mayo clinic is saying. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/67 "2011-06-14T05:37:55Z")
Yeah, I know you have a whole self-esteem thing built up into this food thing so good luck and godspeed with that. I’m sure you’ll have as much success in this endeavor as you’ve had in the rest of your life. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/68 "2011-06-14T05:42:40Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yeah, I know you have a whole self-esteem thing built up into this food thing so good luck and godspeed with that. I’m sure you’ll have as much success in this endeavor as you’ve had in the rest of your life. [Thanks!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JflT8j6nU_I) ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/69 "2011-06-14T11:09:46Z")
Here we go… ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/70 "2011-06-14T11:54:54Z")
aww nutbunnies, this was an interesting thread until now too :smack: ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/71 "2011-06-14T12:26:29Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Here we go… Really. 1997 wants its debate back, guys. If it works for the OP, who the hell cares that it’s “no more effective” than another diet plan s/he might have chosen? It doesn’t need to be “more effective”, just “effective”. Which apparently it is. ---
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/72 "2011-06-14T16:57:04Z")
Stoid, you’re my hero for the day. Thanks! You know what’s super funny? I made myself bacon and eggs this morning, and it really didn’t take all that much longer than going to McDonalds. Plus, I got to spend an extra few minutes with baby Smaje, who seemed insanely jealous that I was eating bacon. Unfortunately, I left a mess in the kitchen for Mr. Smaje to clean up, but he’s a house-husband, and that’s what they do best. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/73 "2011-06-14T18:15:52Z")
> [@smaje1](#): > > You know what’s super funny? I made myself bacon and eggs this morning, and it really didn’t take all that much longer than going to McDonalds. Huh. Normally I enjoy observational comedy, but… maybe it’s better in the original Dutch? ---
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/74 "2011-06-14T18:36:49Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Huh. Normally I enjoy observational comedy, but… maybe it’s better in the original Dutch? _Ik maakte bacon en eieren vanochtend, en het me werkelijk didn’ t duurt dat alles veel langer dan gaand naar McDonalds._ Does that help? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/75 "2011-06-14T18:40:55Z")
That…was actually funnier. I did not expect that. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/76 "2011-06-14T18:43:59Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > That…was actually funnier. > > I did not expect that. Everything is funnier in Dutch, just like everything is sexier in Italian. I think it’s all those _aa_’s. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028/77 "2011-06-15T00:15:19Z")
> [@smaje1](#): > > Stoid, you’re my hero for the day. Thanks! Aw shucks, 'tweren’t nuthin…😉 You might be interested in [this movie.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1333994/) It’s not particularly brilliant in the execution, but it’s brimming with excellent and fascinating information, particularly the **last half.** The first half is devoted to taking down Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me”, which I’m sure you know showed Spurlock living on Mickey D’s for a month. It’s streaming on Netflix. And I repeat: the latter half is where most of the really important informaton about fat and carbs and insulin and heart disease and diabetes will all be found, so don’t bail on it if you don’t get too much out of the first half. And on a more personal note… I’m all about trading great recipe and meal ideas with my fellow carb-eschewers. Since I’m in this for a lifetime I need to be a little more creative. ☺ So if you come up with anything great, be sure to let me know. (Also, check out some of Drain Bead’s postings and links…she’s got some excellent recipe ideas…) Damn, I just realized something… that IMDB link has a link that I thought was the trailer but which is evidently the whole movie itself streaming off of Hulu! So…enjoy! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-mundane-of-pits-mcdonalds/585028.md?page=3)