# The future of nutrition

> A 2020 book by Colin Campbell. Omitting material that overlaps with his earlier books, I have summarized only Part II, which critiques myths within nutrition.

A <2020> book by [Colin Campbell](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Colin%20Campbell.txt). Omitting material that overlaps with his earlier books, I have summarized only Part II, which critiques myths within nutrition.

## Chapter 5. The Cult of Animal Protein

Chapter 5 examines the origins of the [protein myth](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Protein%20myth.txt). It covers the discovery of protein around 1839, the related history of nutrition, the birth of the <animal protein> myth, and problems with distinguishing [complete](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Complete%20protein.txt) from [incomplete proteins](https://wiki.g15e.com/en/pages/Incomplete%20protein.txt).

## Chapter 6. Related Myths, Debates, and Diversions

**Dietary cholesterol**

Many mistakenly believe that the cholesterol we eat (<dietary cholesterol>) is directly linked to <blood cholesterol>. They therefore believe <dietary cholesterol> is the most important cause of <heart disease>. This myth has persisted for a century. But numerous studies have shown that <animal protein>, rather than <dietary cholesterol>, is the problem. Renowned heart disease expert <Ancel Keys> said, "It is now clear that <dietary cholesterol> itself … has almost no effect on <blood cholesterol> concentrations." <Plant protein>, on the other hand, does not raise <blood cholesterol>.

**Saturated fat**

Studies associating <saturated fat> intake with high <blood cholesterol> and <heart disease> led to the prejudice that saturated fat is "bad fat." Meanwhile, <unsaturated fat> is believed to be "good fat" because it lowers blood cholesterol. But this is an oversimplification.

The author argues that the association between saturated fat and heart disease is merely due to <animal protein>. Evidence:

- A cohort study of 90,000 women (<Nurses' Health Study>]) found that reducing <dietary fat> intake did not lower <breast cancer> risk.
- From a <biochemical> perspective, <saturated fat> is relatively inert and unlikely to cause <disease>.
- A [2014 study](https://wiki.g15e.com/pages/Saturated%20fat%20consumption%20may%20not%20be%20the%20main%20cause%20of%20increased%20blood%20lipid%20levels.txt) found no scientific evidence that <saturated fat> causes <cancer> or <heart disease>.
- There is no consistent evidence that reducing <saturated fat> intake lowers mortality from <cardiovascular disease> or other causes. (2018, <Saturated fat - part of a healthy diet>)
- The difference in <blood cholesterol> reduction between a low-fat diet and a low-fat + <soy protein> diet was minimal. In other words, reducing <animal protein> matters more.

**<Trans fat>, [omega-3](https://wiki.g15e.com/pages/Omega-3%20fatty%20acid.txt), <omega-6>**

(Omitted)