Letters

The place of the Unknown

Dear Sharon,

I just came across your article in The Gleaner about the unknown and wish you all the best in your journey. In my young life, I am all too familiar with this state of the 'unknown', and while I was fully aware that the 'unknown' is a challenging and difficult place, that doesn't make it any less scary, lonely, or painful.

Like you, being grateful has navigated me out of my 'issues with myself' and the shocks of changes. I think I'll dedicate more to yoga and see how much better that flow of energy helps me to stay solid in new positions and accepting new realities.

Love and light.

Charlene

Dear Charlene,

Thank you so much for responding to my article! You know, I debated putting it 'out there' but the response has been so overwhelming that I am so glad that I did. So many of us are going through major shifts right now and it is important to know that change can be painful; that is what 'growing pains' are all about, right? Anyway, I promise you, yoga helps and heals. Thanks again, it meant a lot to me to hear back from you.

Shakti Love, Sharon

Fat enhances flavour but ... not too much

Dear Ms Brown,

My Google Alert for saturated fat connected me to your 'Fat Enhances Favour but ... not too Much, article. I have the Google Alert because I'm trying to help reverse the anti-saturated fat campaign (1) and publicise the omega-6 hazard (2).

As a dietitian, I would imagine you have noticed that saturated fats are a topic of debate these days (3). There is growing realisation that a mistake was made about 60 years ago (4), a mistake that probably would have been corrected back in the late '70s if the United States Department of Agriculture had not intervened (5).

Accumulating research suggests that saturated fats do not clog arteries (6). In addition, any effects saturated fats have on LDL cholesterol levels appear to be physiological rather than pathological, and are likely to be beneficial (7).

Hope you find this information helpful. If you have questions or comments, I would enjoy hearing from you.

Regards,

David Brown

1925 Belmar Dr

Kalispell, MT 59901

Ph/406-257-5123

Nutrition Education Project

1. http://www.foodandbeveragepeople.com/cm/news/saturated_fats

2. http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/fats-degeneration3.shtml

3. http://www.cassandraforsythe.com/blog/The+Great+Saturated+Fat+Debate/

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRe9z32NZHY

5. http://freepressonline.net/content/what-has-government-done-our-health

6. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/bu-dcd051811.php

7. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/tau-cn050511.php

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.