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Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill
by
Udo Erasmus presents research on common and lesser-known oils with therapeutic potential: flax, olive, fish, evening primrose, borage, blackcurrent, and snake oil. He exposes the manufacturing processes that turn these healing fats into killing fats, explaining the effects these damaged fats have on human health.
Paperback, 456 pages
Published
December 1st 1998
by Alive Books
(first published January 1st 1993)
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My favourite line in the whole book concerns ‘Sunshine and Flax Oil’ and goes like this: ‘The oil is so smooth that you may inadvertently ‘oil your underwear’ when you think you’re just going to pass a little gas’. Funny because it’s strangely specific, and would have to be based on personal experience, would it not?
This author offers all sorts of lifestyle tips, including advice to exercise, the reason given thusly: ‘Our body is made for activity. If there were nothing to do, we wouldn’t need a ...more
This author offers all sorts of lifestyle tips, including advice to exercise, the reason given thusly: ‘Our body is made for activity. If there were nothing to do, we wouldn’t need a ...more

MUST OWN and USE.
Author doesn't shy away from quoting real research.
very convenient basic info on terminology and great tables to organize all the information in the book.
He is not trying to sell some ideology or convince us of any philosophy of life or something...just giving facts on the biochemistry of fats and [when research hasn't yet provided enough] gives his humble opinion when required. ...more
Author doesn't shy away from quoting real research.
very convenient basic info on terminology and great tables to organize all the information in the book.
He is not trying to sell some ideology or convince us of any philosophy of life or something...just giving facts on the biochemistry of fats and [when research hasn't yet provided enough] gives his humble opinion when required. ...more

This book provides a good overview of the different types of fats and oils there are and how much of each of them we should be eating and which fats we need to avoid. In short, we need to eat lots of different types of natural fats and avoid heavily and carelessly processed fats and oils and unnatural trans fats.
This book is a good place to start in learning more about fats and oils.
The author explains:
- An oil is not just healthy or unhealthy, how old it is and how it has been processed and how ...more
This book is a good place to start in learning more about fats and oils.
The author explains:
- An oil is not just healthy or unhealthy, how old it is and how it has been processed and how ...more

Read this book a long time ago and. found the notes in computer.
Fats that Heal: Fats that Kill
Udo Erasmus
All fats – 9 gms of energy per gram
Daily intake – Linoleic (LA) 1000 gms
Alpha-linolenic (LNA) 200 gms
Pg 21 & pg 29-30
Those with impaired liver function – use short chain fatty acids because they are easier to digest & less taxing to the liver.
Short chain FAs – 16 to 18 carbons like butter or tropical fats
1. make energy
2. convert to unsaturated fatty acids
3. make membranes
Your body saves w3 ...more
Fats that Heal: Fats that Kill
Udo Erasmus
All fats – 9 gms of energy per gram
Daily intake – Linoleic (LA) 1000 gms
Alpha-linolenic (LNA) 200 gms
Pg 21 & pg 29-30
Those with impaired liver function – use short chain fatty acids because they are easier to digest & less taxing to the liver.
Short chain FAs – 16 to 18 carbons like butter or tropical fats
1. make energy
2. convert to unsaturated fatty acids
3. make membranes
Your body saves w3 ...more

Unfortunately, I had to read this voluminous book in translation, which somewhat slowed down the process of reading it. It could be said to be almost the definitve work on fats and oils - the only thing is the book's a bit old (from 1993), so it presumably won't contain the newest information in this field.
It is not only a comprehensive work but an extremely ambitious one, in that Erasmus doesn't restrict himself to discussing fats and oils but includes healthy eating as a whole. I found it to c ...more
It is not only a comprehensive work but an extremely ambitious one, in that Erasmus doesn't restrict himself to discussing fats and oils but includes healthy eating as a whole. I found it to c ...more

This is unquestionably the best book I have ever read on what it means to have "good health" and how to achieve it. Written both at the scientific level and in layman's terms, the book sets forth good reasearch as to how the body functions at the molecular level and why certain fats, protiens, enzymes, minerals and vitamins (there are 50 essential nutrients) are necessary in the right combination to produce optimal health. The author asserts that disease (lack of good health) results from MALNUT
...more

A MUST Have!!! Udo is a Genius!
I Think the Title is a bit off...(as I seem to remember the previous version of this book was as well), but the Book and it's content IS BRILLIANT!
"I" have beliefs that lead me to my own sayings or what I believe to be truisms, one for example is "There are no short answers"...another is; "Rumination is Required", and as a result, the answers rarely come immediately...we all have our own Personal Velocity. But we must Start and we must Try to become More Aware and ...more
I Think the Title is a bit off...(as I seem to remember the previous version of this book was as well), but the Book and it's content IS BRILLIANT!
"I" have beliefs that lead me to my own sayings or what I believe to be truisms, one for example is "There are no short answers"...another is; "Rumination is Required", and as a result, the answers rarely come immediately...we all have our own Personal Velocity. But we must Start and we must Try to become More Aware and ...more

Read if you wish to get an indepth understanding of fats and oils, their extraction, refinement, etc. at the molecular level. I don't agree with his stand on saturated fats.
Most notable example quoted in his book is that of the brilliant German scientist, researcher and medical doctor - Dr. Johanna Budwig.
Dr. Budwig developed a formula for cancer patients and other patients deficient in Linoleic acid. By consuming the protein-oil combination of flax seed oil and low fat cottage cheese, Dr. Budwi ...more
Most notable example quoted in his book is that of the brilliant German scientist, researcher and medical doctor - Dr. Johanna Budwig.
Dr. Budwig developed a formula for cancer patients and other patients deficient in Linoleic acid. By consuming the protein-oil combination of flax seed oil and low fat cottage cheese, Dr. Budwi ...more

I've been on a marathon of fat themed books lately, all of the point of view that we need a variety of clean, organic fats, including saturated fats from coconut and animal sources, and that trans and oxydized fats are the only real bad guys. I'm reading this one primarily to check out the opposition. Boy is this a contract from Know Your Fats, which focuses exclusively on documented studies and explanations of the biochemistry of every fat in existence, and includes numerous charts. I'm certain
...more

I actually had 20 pages left in this book, but I had to take it back to the library and then I moved. I'm bummed. I really loved this book. It took a LONG time to get through and there was a lot of chemistry that I wish I would have just skimmed instead of trying too hard to understand it. But, I learned a lot about diet and human health. The principles haved definitely helped me make some changes that have been very welcome. I have noticed big differences in mine and my family's health. So, in
...more

I really wanted to like this book, and am almost tempted to recommend reading it - if only for its exposition of the oil processing industry's harmful practices. Unfortunately, the lipid-related material proper is largely without references and reads like little more than a sales pitch for Udo's overpriced concoction. I am not a biochemist and do not have the expertise to verify the author's claims ... he simply does not strike me as a trustworthy voice on the subject. Unless you enjoy taking pe
...more

It's been probably more than 15 years since I read this, but a lot of it stuck with me.
This is a brilliant book for understanding fats, and for understanding their role in health. That said, research in fields like organic chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, etc., has made huge advances in the last couple decades, and I wouldn't be surprised if this book is now somewhat out of date. ...more
This is a brilliant book for understanding fats, and for understanding their role in health. That said, research in fields like organic chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, etc., has made huge advances in the last couple decades, and I wouldn't be surprised if this book is now somewhat out of date. ...more

May 21, 2010
Kimberley
rated it
really liked it
Recommended to Kimberley by:
College textbook
Shelves:
college-texts
As entertaining as it is illuminating. Some truly eye-opening and crucial information contained in here from one of the pioneers of lipids and EFA research. If only he'd referenced it properly, it could be an immensely useful text. As it stands, best for getting a thorough overview but you still have to conduct your own research of the peer-reviewed literature.
...more

It makes and exhaustive analysis regarding fat and its effects in health. Includes some technical information but it's pretty clear and easy to understand (some basic knowledge on chemistry might help but it isn't a must)
Not a book to get a "quick overview" but a deep understanding on this topic. I personally loved it. ...more
Not a book to get a "quick overview" but a deep understanding on this topic. I personally loved it. ...more

Very informative. Everyone should take a look at this book and read parts. The majority of the population fails to understand the basics about this important food group. Udo Erasmus explains things in easy to understand, every day language while explaining necessary terms like what omega in (omega 3s 6s etc.) mean. So no excuses people; learn your fats. Better living through education.

The best book on the health affects of oil, and fats both positive and negative. Outlines the vital importance of fats for brain and cellular health. Also explains dangers of "bad" and the benefits of "good " fats and what they are.
...more

Oct 21, 2014
Millie
added it
Great book. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the role of fats and what they do in the body.
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“The kinks created by cis- double bonds in fatty acids make them difficult to align. Therefore UFAs aggregate poorly, and melt at lower temperatures”
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