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Go easy
on the trans fats rans fats — not saturated fats
products such as chocolate and palm oils.
Inconsistencies in the included studies
— are linked to greater risk
Trans unsaturated fats (trans fats) are
meant that the researchers could not confirm
of death and heart disease,
mainly produced industrially from plant oils
an association between trans fats and type
with higher trans fat intake
(a process known as hydrogenation) for use
2 diabetes. They found no clear association
associated with a 20–30%
in margarine, snack foods and packaged
between trans fats and ischemic stroke.
increased risk.
baked goods.
The researchers point out that the certainty
Contrary to prevailing dietary advice, a recent
To help clarify these controversies, re-
of associations between saturated fat and
evidence review, published in The BMJ, found
searchers in Canada analysed the results
all outcomes was “very low”, which means
no excess cardiovascular, stroke or type
of observational studies assessing the as-
that further research is very likely to have
2 diabetes risk associated with intake of
sociation between saturated and/or trans
an important impact on our understanding of
saturated fat. In contrast, research suggests
fats and health outcomes in adults.
the association of saturated fats with disease.
The team found no clear association
The certainty of associations of trans fats
between higher intake of saturated fats and
with CHD outcomes was “moderate” and
The study confirms previous suggestions
all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease
“very low” to “low” for other associations.
that industrially produced trans fats might
(CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), is-
The researchers also stress that their
increase the risk of coronary heart disease
chemic stroke or type 2 diabetes, but could
results are based on observational studies,
and calls for a careful review of dietary
not, with confidence, rule out increased risk
so no definitive conclusions can be drawn
guidelines for these nutrients.
for CHD death. They did not find evidence
about cause and effect. However, they say
that diets higher in saturated fat reduce
their analysis “confirms the findings of five
cardiovascular risk.
previous systematic reviews of saturated
that industrial trans fats may increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
Guidelines currently recommend that saturated fats are limited to less than 10%
and trans fats and CHD”.
of energy, and trans fats to less than 1%,
However, consumption of industrial trans
to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.
fats was associated with a 34% increase in
They conclude that dietary guidelines
Saturated fats come mainly from animal
all-cause mortality, a 28% increased risk
for saturated and trans fatty acids “must
products, such as butter, cow’s milk, meat,
of CHD mortality and a 21% increase in
carefully consider the effect of replacement
salmon and egg yolks, and some plant
the risk of CHD.
nutrients”.
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