The recently released 'American Dietary Guidelines' (2015- 2020) have recognised the limited role of dietary cholesterol in most humans, and have removed restrictions on intake of cholesterol (commonly found in eggs and full fat dairy products). This is good news for egg lovers, since eggs are high in cholesterol but relatively low in saturated fat. This recommendation has generated controversy and discussion in the media and nutrition circles, with many rushing to conclude that cholesterol has been exonerated of all untoward effects. What has changed, however, is merely the recommendation for dietary cholesterol and not for blood cholesterol, which (particularly LDL cholesterol) continues to be regarded as a risk factor for heart disease. Thus the recommendation to limit the intake of 'bad' dietary fats— like trans and saturated fats—remains unchanged, as they can impact blood LDL cholesterol level. Trans fats, produced when liquid fats are solidified by hydrogenation and also when oils are subjected to repeated heating, are the worst offenders. Processed food items and fried snacks are loaded with trans fats and their consumption should be reduced in our diet. Saturated fats, present in full fat dairy products, red meats, butter and ghee should be used in moderation. More than 50 per cent of the fat in butter and ghee is in saturated form. Indians were among the earliest users of both. Indian mythology is replete with descriptions of Lord Krishna's fondness for butter. The use of ghee in religious practices (offering to Agni, the God of fire) has been prevalent for more than 3,000 years. Ghrat (Sanskrit for ghee) appears numerous times in the Rig Veda. Some experts feel that adverse impact of saturated fats has been over-emphasised all these years. In 2014, The New York Times announced the return of butter ('Butter is Back'). Unfortunately, for butter lovers, this is probably not true. One spoon of butter, 5 gm, provides 45 Kcal; nutrition societies continue to recommend that saturated fat intake should provide less than 10 per cent of our daily calories.

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