On Mon, 24 Jan 2000, Dori Zook wrote:

[quoting Cordain]

> I have no doubt (as I have previously stated) that modern, meat dominated
> diets, particularly when they are high in saturated fat can increase both
> total and LDL cholesterol in some but not all people.

Note that this is an item where Cordain's view of paleodiet
differs sharply from the view expressed in Neanderthin.  The
readers of Neanderthin are assured that cholesterol is not a
problem, and are not advised to be careful of saturated fat.
Indeed, on the 48 Hours program Ray stated categorically that the
Neanderthin diet will improve *everyone's* cholesterol.

> Additionally, there
> is substantial evidence that people vary in some genetic factors which
> influence blood cholesterol levels.  These factors include LDL receptor
> density and apolipoproteins levels.

Yes, and it's interesting that the Pauling-Rath theory of
cardiovascular disease incorporates a possible explanation of why
this is the case.  According to that theory, the genetic factor
that causes some people to make more apolipoprotein(a) is an
adaptation to our loss of the ability to synthesize vitamin C.
I'm not sure what to make of this, but it's an interesting
theory.  Pauling also argues that low LDL receptor density is
itself caused by low ascorbate levels.

> I have previously pointed out that
> there are subtleties of paleodiets, despite their animal basis, that can
> improve blood lipid parameters.    Paleodiets tended to be quite high in
> protein (~35-45% energy) but low in saturated fat.

Unless, of course, one goes out of one's way to isolate the
saturated fats by rendering tallow and making pemmican.

> The predominant fats
> would have been monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated of both the n6 and n3
> varieties. It is  difficult to recreate these characteristics when
> commercially available domestic meats are utilized.

Indeed.  This will remain one of the more controversial issues in
the paleodiet field for a while, I imagine.

Todd Moody
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