For decades, we’ve been told that fat is the enemy—something to be avoided if we want to live long, healthy lives. But what if I told you that fat, specifically high-quality, grass-fed fat, is one of the most important nutrients our bodies need? The truth is, fat has been unfairly demonized for years, thanks to outdated science and misleading dietary guidelines.
I want to set the record straight and talk about why fat is essential to our health, how we were misled, and why I believe so strongly in using grass-fed beef tallow—not just for cooking, but for skincare and sustainability as well.
Somewhere along the way, we were convinced that fat was the root of all dietary evil—blamed for heart disease, weight gain, and every other health issue under the sun. This wasn’t based on solid science, but rather on flawed studies, misinterpreted data, and decades of food industry propaganda that ultimately led to one of the biggest nutritional mistakes in history.
In the 1950s, a scientist named Ancel Keys came up with the Diet-Heart Hypothesis, claiming that dietary fat—particularly saturated fat—caused heart disease. His Seven Countries Study concluded that populations eating more saturated fat had higher rates of heart disease, and from there, the war on fat began.
The problem? His research was cherry-picked to fit his narrative.
The original study looked at 22 countries, but only the seven that supported his theory were included in the final publication.
Other lifestyle factors like sugar consumption, smoking, and exercise weren’t properly accounted for.
Countries like France, where people consume plenty of butter, cheese, and animal fats, had low rates of heart disease, completely contradicting the theory.
But the damage was done. By the 1970s, the low-fat diet movement had taken hold, and food manufacturers rushed to remove fat from their products, replacing it with sugar, artificial fillers, and highly processed vegetable oils—ingredients that, as we now know, are far worse for human health.
Demonizing fat led to three major problems in our diets:
Increased Sugar Consumption – Fat was stripped from food, so sugar was added to make things taste good again. This directly contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.
Overuse of Processed Seed Oils – Industrial oils like canola, soybean, and corn oil were marketed as "heart-healthy," but they’re actually highly processed, inflammatory, and oxidize when heated, leading to chronic disease.
Higher Rates of Chronic Illness – Low-fat, high-carb diets led to more insulin resistance, inflammation, and heart disease, the exact things they were supposed to prevent.
So, if fat isn’t the villain, what does the science say today?
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way in understanding the truth about dietary fat. Here’s what the research tells us today. Fat plays a crucial role in nearly every function of the body, yet for decades, we were told to avoid it. The brain, for example, is nearly 60 percent fat, meaning essential fatty acids from high-quality animal fats are critical for mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Nutrients in grass-fed beef tallow support brain cell growth and repair, regulate neurotransmitter function to enhance mood and memory, and offer protection against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Despite what we've been told, saturated fat is not the enemy. A 2010 meta-analysispublished in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which examined 21 studies and over 347,000 participants, found zero significant evidence linking saturated fat to heart disease. Further reinforcing this, the PURE study, which followed 135,000 people across 18 countries, found that higher intake of natural fats (including saturated fat) was actually associated with a lower risk of stroke and heart disease. Beyond heart health, fat is essential for hormone balance and metabolism. Saturated fats play a key role in the production of testosterone and estrogen, both of which are critical for energy, mood, and overall well-being. Additionally, fat is required to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are essential for immune function, bone health, and skin regeneration.
The real issue isn’t saturated fat—it’s processed seed oils, which have done far more harm than good. Highly processed vegetable oils such as canola, soybean, and corn oil oxidize when heated, causing inflammation and free radical damage. Worse yet, they’re chemically extracted using harsh solvents like hexane, and they contain high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, which disrupt the body’s natural omega-3 balance and contribute to chronic diseases. If we truly want to reclaim our health, we must return to natural, traditional fats—the same ones humans thrived on for generations.
Whats the Solution? Meet Beef Tallow
Tallow is rendered beef fat, a traditional and highly nutrient-dense fat that has been used for centuries in various cultures for cooking, skincare, and even candle-making. Unlike the processed oils and artificial products that dominate modern markets, tallow offers a whole-food alternative that has stood the test of time. It’s packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that provide a wide range of health benefits—both inside and out. This makes tallow not just a versatile fat for cooking, but also a superfood for your body.
One of the key nutrients in tallow is Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which plays an important role in supporting metabolism and helping to reduce inflammation throughout the body. CLA has been associated with a variety of health benefits, including potential anti-cancer properties, better fat-burning mechanisms, and a reduction in oxidative stress. This makes tallow a powerful fat that can enhance overall wellness and longevity.
In addition to CLA, tallow is rich in Stearic Acid and Palmitic Acid, two saturated fatty acids that are essential for healthy cell function and maintaining the integrity of the skin. These fatty acids help promote healthy, strong cell membranes, ensuring that your body’s cells function properly and efficiently. For the skin, these acids provide the hydration and nourishment necessary for repair and regeneration, making tallow an excellent natural moisturizer. These properties are particularly beneficial for people with dry skin, eczema, or other skin conditions that need extra nourishment.
Tallow is also an excellent source of fat-soluble vitamins—namely A, D, E, and K2—which are critical for various aspects of health. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy skin and vision, while Vitamin D supports immune function and bone strength. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage, and Vitamin K2 plays a critical role in collagen production, which is essential for skin elasticity and joint health. These vitamins are best absorbed when paired with healthy fats like those found in tallow, making it an incredibly efficient way for the body to absorb these vital nutrients.
What truly sets tallow apart from synthetic oils and moisturizers is its bioavailability. This term refers to how easily a substance is absorbed and utilized by the body. Because tallow is naturally similar to the fats found in our own cells, it is recognized and absorbed by our body more efficiently than most processed oils. This makes it an incredibly effective and nourishing fat for both cooking and skincare. Unlike many synthetic moisturizers, which may contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin, tallow works harmoniously with your body, promoting healing and balance.
In short, tallow isn’t just another fat—it’s a superfood that has nourished and healed for centuries. Whether you’re using it in your cooking or incorporating it into your skincare routine, tallow offers a natural, effective, and sustainable wayto boost your health and support your body’s natural functions. It’s time to embrace this ancient fat and harness its incredible benefits for modern wellness.
Introducing Our Grass-Fed Tallow Products
At Heirloom Fire, we believe in honoring the whole animal. When an animal gives its life to nourish us, we owe it the respect of using everything it provides. That’s why we’ve created a line of grass-fed beef tallow products—both for cooking and skincare—to maximize nutrition, minimize waste, and return to ancestral food traditions.
Grass-Fed Beef Tallow Soaps
Handcrafted in small batches, these deeply moisturizing soaps contain zero synthetic ingredients—just pure, nutrient-rich tallow combined with natural botanicals and essential oils.
Honey & Bee Pollen Soap – Antibacterial and healing, infused with raw local honey and bee pollen.
Spruce, Bone Charcoal & Juniper Soap – Detoxifying and clarifying, packed with bone charcoal and wild juniper.
Wildflower & Pasture Soap – Light, floral, and deeply hydrating, made with hand-harvested wildflowers.
Grass-Fed Beef Tallow & Raw Honey Salve
Experience the ultimate in natural skincare with our Grass-Fed Beef Tallow & Raw Honey Salve, a simple yet powerful balm made with just two pure ingredients—100% grass-fed beef tallow and raw, local honey.
This nutrient-rich formula deeply hydrates, soothes irritation, and promotes skin healing without any synthetic fillers or additives. Packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antibacterial properties, it’s perfect for:
Soothing burns, eczema, and rashes
Reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks
Restoring dry, cracked skin, lips, and cuticles
Locking in long-lasting moisture for soft, healthy skin
Pure, simple, and deeply effective, this salve is your go-to for natural skin nourishment. Safe for all ages and skin types.
F A Q
Does tallow soap smell like meat or steak?
No! Properly made tallow soap does not smell like meat. Instead, it takes on the scent of the natural botanicals and essential oils used in the recipe, leaving a fresh, clean aroma.
How do you turn fat into soap?
Tallow is rendered (purified) from beef fat and then combined with a lye solution through a process called saponification. This chemical reaction transforms the fat and lye into soap, creating a creamy, skin-nourishing bar.
Is tallow soap good for sensitive skin?
Yes! Tallow closely resembles the natural oils in human skin, making it highly compatible and beneficial for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin.
Why use tallow instead of plant-based oils?
Tallow is packed with skin-loving nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K, and it produces a rich, creamy lather. It’s also a sustainable choice, repurposing a byproduct of grass-fed beef rather than relying on industrially processed oils.
Expanding Our Commitment to Healthy Fats: Smoked Grass-Fed Butter
In the same vein of reclaiming traditional fats, we’ve also introduced one of our secret ingredients to some of our signature dishes—smoked grass-fed full-fat butter. Butter has always been a staple in great cooking, but when it’s made from the milk of grass-fed cows and smoked to perfection, it transforms into something even more exceptional. It carries a subtle depth of sweet, savory smoke, perfect for finishing dishes with an extra layer of complexity.
If you don’t have access to a smoker or just want an effortless way to infuse your dishes with that warm, delicate smokiness, this is your ticket. A pat of smoked grass-fed butter melting over a perfectly cooked steak, fresh vegetables, or warm sourdough bread will change the way you think about butter forever. It’s rich, nutrient-dense, and deeply flavorful—a testament to the power of real, whole-food ingredients.
It’s Time to Rethink Fat
For too long, we’ve been told to avoid fat—but not all fat is created equal. It’s time to ditch processed oils and return to natural, traditional fats that actually nourish our bodies. It’s time to respect the animals that sustain us by using every single part of them.
At Heirloom Fire, that’s what we’re about—sustainability, tradition, and honoring the whole animal. Whether it’s cooking with nutrient-rich tallow, indulging in smoked grass-fed butter, or using pure tallow-based skincare, these fats are some of the most powerful and versatile natural resources we have.
Want to experience it for yourself? Shop our latest tallow products and bring back the fat.
Comments