then why are we urged to limit our fat intake? Though the jury is still out on whether certain fats cause cancer, transfatty acids, or oils (saturated) that have been treated in order to remain solid at room temperature such as lard, butter and margarines are chemically unstable and may be linked to cell damage. That's also the case with polyunsaturates, which are found in abundances in the three staple oils of Asian cuisine : peanut, soybean and coconut.