For decades, people diagnosed with high cholesterol have been instructed to minimize their consumption of saturated fats to lower cholesterol and reduce their risks of heart disease.
But in a new study, researchers found no evidence to support those claims.
The research was conducted by an international team of experts on heart disease and diet.
Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that causes people to have cholesterol levels 2-4 times higher than the average person.
Organizations, including the American Heart Association, have suggested they avoid eating food from animal sources, such as meat, eggs, and cheese, and to avoid coconut oil.
In the study, the team reviewed dietary guidelines for people with familial hypercholesterolemia.
They say they couldn’t find any justification for health experts to recommend a low saturated fat diet.
They found that a more ‘heart-healthy’ diet is one low in sugar, not saturated fat.
The researchers say following a low-carb diet is most effective for people at increased risk of heart disease, such as those who are overweight, hypertensive, and diabetic.
Their findings are consistent with another recent study, which provided strong evidence that food that raises blood sugar, such as bread, potatoes, and sweets, should be minimized, rather than tropical oils and animal-based food.
One author of the study is David Diamond, a professor and heart disease researcher at the University of South Florida.
The study is published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.
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