Saturated fat link with heart disease questioned

This article is one doctor's opinion based on his own knowledge, research and experience. However, it is fair to say there is an ongoing debate about how far cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, especially in people who are otherwise healthy. There is also a similar debate about the use of statins in people who have no evidence of cardiovascular disease. This is alongside ongoing research into the components of LDL and the different types of lipoproteins known to increase risk the most. None of this relevant new evidence is covered by the news reporting.   What should you eat? There is no need to change current advice. As with many things in life, the adage of "everything in moderation" applies to your fat consumption. The body needs small amounts of fat to help it work normally. But most of us eat too much saturated fat – about 20% more than the recommended maximum amount. Current guidelines state that: The average man should eat no more than 30g of saturated fat a day. The average woman should eat no more than 20g of saturated fat a day. You should avoid trans fats where possible. These fats are mainly produced by an industrial process called hydrogenation and are thought to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease through increasing inflammation. They are found in deep fried foods and biscuits, cakes and pastries. Eat mono-unsaturated fats in small amounts. These fats are found in olive oil and rapeseed oil, as well as in som...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Food/diet QA articles Source Type: news