Born With Heart Defect, Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals Link Between Butter and Heart Disease

The bodybuilding legend and health advocate, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been bettering lives for decades with his fitness insights. This time, he is shedding light on a beloved kitchen staple- butter. While it might make everything taste better, Schwarzenegger warns it could impact heart health adversely putting you at risk.

In the latest edition of his newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club, Schwarzenegger, who was born with a defective heart condition called bicuspid aortic valve, highlighted a growing concern. Schwarzenegger noted that for a long time, butter has been extremely popular, to the point where it was being added to almost every meal and even into coffee. However, he believes that this enthusiasm for butter is excessive and has led to major health consequences.

Arnold Schwarzenegger warns against consuming butter

Schwarzenegger’s concerns are backed by science. “A new study found that butter is not as heart-healthy as other dairy sources — and could increase your risk for heart problems,” he points out. This revelation challenges the notion that all fats are created equal. Earlier, studies have shown that full-fat dairy products don’t increase cholesterol levels as much as their lower-fat counterparts, despite the higher saturated fat content. However, butter is different. It raises LDL-C cholesterol more than other solid fats and oils.

To dig deeper, researchers compared dairy intake with and without butter. Participants consumed either full-fat yogurt or low-fat yogurt with added butter, keeping the total fat intake the same. Despite similar diets, the butter group had different blood lipid levels at the study’s end. The 76-year-old highlighted in the newsletter that, “Adding the butter significantly increased ApoB, a cholesterol-carrying protein that increases the risk of heart disease.”

This increase is believed to be due to the destruction of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) during butter production, which affects how fats are absorbed and metabolized.  While this doesn’t mean you should never enjoy butter, it does suggest caution over its daily use. The study indicates that the type of saturated fat matters.

Increasing saturated fat generally raises LDL-C and ApoB levels, linked to higher cardiovascular risk. The seven-time Mr. Olympia advises to make informed fat choices and test blood for ApoB and LDL levels. Having survived three heart surgeries and a pacemaker installation, Schwarzenegger introduced a tool that could predict the likelihood of a heart attack.

A revolutionary tool to save lives

Schwarzenegger highlighted a tool that can predict heart attacks by detecting calcium buildup in arteries. He highlighted Dr. Danielle Belardo’s statement who believes it is revolutionary. The tool, called CAC, is noninvasive and low-risk. It’s like a crystal ball for your heart health. Schwarzenegger stressed the importance of early detection and prevention, as most heart diseases are preventable.

Many, including Schwarzenegger, didn’t know about this life-saving test. Factors like age and family history determine if it’s right for you. The CAC scan provides insights not possible with blood tests. It can prompt lifestyle changes or provide peace of mind. Schwarzenegger often talks about heart health, suggesting simple habits like diet and exercise can help prevent heart problems.

Schwarzenegger warns against excessive butter consumption due to its potential impact on heart health. Moreover, he promotes early detection through the CAC tool for heart attack prediction that can save lives. Let us know if you follow his tips for better health.