COURSE III: Fats in Our Food

This lesson starts by tracing the history of the demonization of cholesterol and saturated fats, and the promotion of industrially produced seed oils. The different fats available from the natural world is explored, illuminating an intriguing connection with the sun. The fatty acids in seeds and those found in animals are surveyed and compared. Attention is then turned to the fascinating history of the ‘vegetable oil’ industry and its deleterious consequences for human health. The lesson concludes by looking at the range of healthy fats available in food.