A cardiologist has shared the foods he avoids to maintain heart health, warning that butter is 'almost pure saturated fat' and can clog arteries. Dr Mohammad Alo, known as 'America's Cardiologist' on TikTok, listed butter as the top food he would never eat, along with cheese, bacon, lard, ghee, coconut oil, tallow, steak fat, and chicken skin.
In a video to his 270,000 followers, Dr Alo explained that these foods raise LDL cholesterol—the 'bad' cholesterol—which can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and kidney disease. The British Heart Foundation notes that HDL cholesterol, the 'good' type, helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.
The NHS advises men to consume no more than 30g of saturated fat per day, and women no more than 20g. To lower cholesterol, the NHS recommends reducing fatty foods, especially those high in saturated fat, and eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Regular exercise, at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, and limiting alcohol to 14 units per week are also advised.
