On Tue, 2 Jul 2002, Hilary McClure wrote:

> But Todd, isn't the depot fat the most saturated fat in the animal, and
> SFAs are what Cordain is telling us to avoid? The usda database is
> offline at the moment, so I can't check the balance of the supposedly
> bad palmitic with stearic and others in fats such as suet or lard.

The depot fat is highly saturated, especially with stearic acid,
which is why it tends to be hard fat.  You might check L. Cordain
et al., "The fatty acid composition of muscle, brain, marrow and
adipose tissue in elk: evolutionary implications for human
dietary lipid requirements," World Review of Nutrition and Diet
1998; 83: 225.  The main conclusion is that the ratios of the
various fats, saturated, monounsaturated, and EFAs in total elk
carcass fat are quite different from what is found in the fatty
feedlot meats.  Cordain thinks the difference matters.

Todd Moody
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