Of interest to the list:

"Diet Rich in Monounsaturated Fat Improves the Carbohydrate Metabolism and
Blood Pressure,"  Salas J, Miranda JL, et al, Med Clin (Barc), 1999;
113(20): 765-769.

Forty-one healthy young males were fed 3 consecutive diets, each for 4
weeks.  The first diet was 38% total fat, 20% saturated fat.  The second was
28% total fat, 47% carbohydrates.  The third phase was 38% total fat, 22%
monounsaturated fats.

Interesting results:

1.   The saturated fat diet resulted in the highest levels of insulin
measured after oral glucose tolerance test.

2.  The high monounsaturated fat diet resulted in the lowest levels of
fasting glucose, insulin, and free fatty acids.

3.  Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were highest during the high
carbohydrate diet.

The authors concluded that a moderate MUFA diet is preferable to a 20% SFA
diet and to a high carbohydrate-low fat diet.

Two comments I have:

1.  A high SFA diet may to an extent help a diabetic who has subnormal
insulin production capacity (possible e.g. Ray Audette), but harm those who
have normal insulin producing capacity.

2.  In people who are not type I diabetic, a diet providing 20% or more of
calories in SFAs is likely to promote fat storage, high cholesterol,
platelet stickiness, low thyroid output, and all other side effects of high
insulin levels.

Don