Sunday, May 16, 2010

Saturated fat, heart disease 'not linked'


Saturated fat, heart disease 'not linked'
Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:04:28 GMT
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Double cheeseburger served with French fries
Despite the general belief, there is no link between the intake of saturated fat and the development of heart disease, a new study finds.

Previous studies had reported that Western diet, rich in saturated fat, increases the blood levels of "bad LDL cholesterol", the main risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association (AHA), therefore, recommended adults not to get more than 7 percent of their daily calories from the fat.

According to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the saturated fat mainly found in meat and dairy products does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

"No one is saying that some saturated fat is going to harm you ... people should enjoy their food," said Robert H. Eckel, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver.

He added that individuals should adopt a balanced diet to remain healthy, stressing that these findings are not going to change recommendations to keep saturated fat intake in check.

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