Associated With Doesn't Mean Caused By

November 06, 2011

Don't forget this!

So when you read things like this:

"Carbophobia: The Scary Truth About America's Low-Carb Craze." A diet containing hefty amounts of saturated fat, which is prevalent in red meat, processed meats, dark-meat poultry, high-fat cheeses and butter is associated with a significantly increased risk for high cholesterol, hypertension, arterial blockage, stroke and heart attack."

Don't get worried! Understand that this does not mean that eating red meat or saturated fats causes hypertension, arterial blockage, stroke and heart attack.

In fact, it means nothing at all.

Observational studies are just that - observational.

I observe that all people who have cancer, sneeze, breath and go to the bathroom.

Therefore, sneezing, breathing and tinkling are associated with cancer.

Got it? Good.

    

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