Hi DebPenny,

You are right in thinking saturated fat is not unhealthy, but it is much better than neutral. Saturated fat is healthy and healing for the body. The research with rabbits either doesn't apply because they are herbivores but more likely it is outright fraud. The analysis of primitive societies shows they ate high levels of saturated fat and were essentially free of heart disease and stroke. A great book to read is:

Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price, DDS.

Saturated fat is not listed as an essential fatty acid but is used by the body in making cell membranes. Saturated fats have the advantage of being very stable molecules that are resistant to oxidation because all of the atoms are bonded to another. This leaves no unused or excessive electrons. Therefore, they do not attract free radicals or oxygen that make undesirable chemical bonds.

Coconut oil is perhaps the best cooking fat and very good for frying because of its high temperature rating. It is saturated and highly stable, so much so that refrigeration is not necessary. Lauric fatty acid, that is plentiful in coconut oil, is also found in mother's milk. It has been shown to be antiviral and antibacterial and may assist in keep a newborn well. Some manufacturers add coconut oil to baby formula.

A few interesting links are:

Dr. Atkins - Big Fat Lies.

Dr. Stephen Byrnes - Are Saturated Fats Really Dangerous For You?

Weston A. Price Foundation - Facts About Fats.

The Truth About Saturated Fat by Mary Enig, PhD, and Sally Fallon.

Dr. Mercola - Coconut In Support of Good Health - Part 1 of 4 by Mary G. Enig, Ph.D.

Additional links are available on my low-carb support page at:

The Ultimate Nutrition Program for Healing and Health Preservation.

Kent