It’s 2025—and yet, we’re still hearing outdated nutrition advice.
Take my friend Emilia for example: she visited her doctor, who told her her cholesterol was slightly elevated—and advised her to stop eating butter and switch to margarine. But… what if that advice is doing more harm than good?
The Real Enemy: Artificial Trans Fats
The key culprit hurting our health isn’t butter—it’s industrially-produced trans fatty acids (iTFA), especially those found in partially-hydrogenated oils (PHOs). These are created in manufacturing when liquid oils are converted to semi-solid fats to extend shelf-life. And they’re dangerous. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 500,000 premature deaths each year are linked to trans-fat intake.
In Singapore, a ban on PHOs in all fats, oils and pre-packaged foods took effect in June 2021.
The Misplaced Fear of Butter & Cholesterol
Butter and saturated animal fats have long been demonised based on grand assumptions linking them to heart disease. But the real picture is different. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee:
“Available evidence shows no appreciable relationship between consumption of dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol… Cholesterol is not a nutrient of concern for over‐consumption.”
PMC
Here’s why it matters:
- Cholesterol is a structural component of every cell membrane.
- It’s the raw material for adrenal and sex hormones.
- It helps produce vitamin D, supports immunity, memory and learning.
In fact, some studies show that people with higher cholesterol levels often live longer.
What This Means for Your Health
If you’ve been avoiding butter and animal fats but still eating refined processed foods—then your body might be missing what it truly needs.
- ✅ Eliminate industrial trans fats—these are the real threat.
- ✅ Embrace real fats from animal sources, eggs, full-fat dairy.
- ✅ Learn the truth behind the cholesterol narrative and nourish your body with what it needs to heal, process, and regenerate.
For those embracing the GAPS Nutritional Protocol, fats aren’t the enemy—they’re essential nutrients. Cholesterol isn’t bad—it’s foundational to your body’s restoration and thriving.
📌 Summary
• Industrial trans fats (PHOs) are the fats you should fear—not butter.
• WHO links over 500,000 early deaths each year to trans-fat intake. World Health Organization
• Cholesterol—once feared—is now understood to play many vital roles in health.
• Animal fats provide nutrients to build, repair, and nourish your body.
Stop falling for outdated advice. Give your body the nourishment it truly needs—and watch your health transform.
✨If this surprised you, imagine what else you’ve been told about food that might not be true. Your body was designed to heal, but only if you feed it the right building blocks. That’s where the GAPS Protocol comes in—using nutrient-dense foods like butter, meat stock, and fermented dairy to repair the gut and reverse chronic issues. Ready to start your healing journey? Let’s talk.
