Should we eat like our ancestors | Simon Hill, Msc, Bsc on the Ellen Fisher Podcast

Health Impacts

Simon Hill challenges the popular belief that saturated fats are beneficial for metabolic health. He explains that saturated fats increase ectopic fat in the liver and pancreas, which can lead to insulin resistance and hinder glucose utilization 1. This contradicts the claims of diets like keto and carnivore, which often promote high saturated fat intake. Hill emphasizes the importance of metabolic flexibility, which involves efficiently utilizing both fats and carbohydrates 1.

If you're eating in a way that is making you really poor at utilizing carbohydrates, I would argue that you're actually shifting your metabolic health in an unfavorable direction.

--- Simon Hill

He also discusses polyunsaturated fats, noting that despite claims of them being harmful, evidence suggests they are beneficial for cardiovascular health 2.

   

Butter and Dairy

Butter and dairy are often seen as natural and healthy, but Simon Hill warns of their high saturated fat content. He highlights that butter, in particular, increases ApoB levels, a key marker for heart disease risk 3. While dairy fats in yogurt and cheese are less harmful than those in red meat, Hill advises replacing them with polyunsaturated fats for better health outcomes 4.

The reason why butter is so problematic is that butter is a heavily refined food, massively refined.

--- Simon Hill

He suggests that the type and amount of dairy consumed are crucial, and replacing dairy with plant-based alternatives can be beneficial 5.

   

ApoB and Cholesterol

Understanding ApoB and LDL cholesterol is vital for assessing heart health. Simon Hill explains that ApoB-containing lipoproteins can enter artery walls, causing inflammation and plaque buildup 6. He stresses that high saturated fat intake reduces the liver's ability to clear these lipoproteins, increasing heart disease risk 7.

When you get LDL cholesterol down, people have less events, heart attacks and strokes.

--- Simon Hill

Hill cites extensive evidence, including observational and genetic studies, showing that lowering LDL cholesterol reduces heart disease risk 8.