Here’s good news for those of us who are rather partial to meat-heavy barbecues or nice rich cheeses: researchers have found that there is no clear link between saturated fat intake and heart disease.
The findings, which were reached after an analysis of 21 past studies, contradict earlier conclusions about the risks involved with raising so called “bad” cholesterol, a result of consuming saturated fats, Reuters reported.
In pictures: Magda’s amazing weight loss transformation
Recipe: Great meat pies
Health & Wellbeing: Getting to know your fats
American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines suggest adults should get no more than 7 percent of their daily kilojoule intake from fat (which translates as just 16g of meat — not a hearty portion!), but the new study indicates that there is no proven link between saturated fat intake and heart disease.
However, don’t all run for the deli counter just yet. The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, have been downplayed by a former AHA president.
“No-one is saying that some saturated fat is going to harm you,” said Professor Robert H Eckel, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado. “People should enjoy their food.”
But, he added, many studies had shown that saturated fat still resulted in a rise in cholesterol and that doctors’ advice on fat intake would not change in light of these findings.
Professor Eckel added that dietary thinking was moving away from concentrating on single nutritional elements towards more wide-ranging “dietary patterns”.
What do you think? Do you have family members who have had high fat diets and lived to a ripe old age? Share your thoughts below.
Join Magda and Dicko for Australia’s Greatest Weight Loss Challenge – and your chance to win $10,000 in cash!*
The whole of Australia has cheered on celebrities Magda Szubanski and Ian “Dicko” Dickson on their weight loss journeys.
Now it’s your chance to come and see their amazing results firsthand, as Magda and Dicko join forces with Jenny Craig and The Australian Women’s Weekly to launch Australia’s Greatest Weight Loss Challenge.
The twelve-week Challenge is a fun way to encourage more Australians to slim down, get healthier and feel great. There’s also the chance to win $10,000 in cash*.
Sydneysiders are invited to come down, have a laugh with Magda and Dicko, and jump on the scales for Australia’s Greatest Weight Loss Challenge. It’s sure to be the start of your own incredible weight loss journey…
When: February 8, 12noon – 3pm Where: Martin Place, Sydney, Amphitheatre (between Pitt and Castlereagh Sts).
See the competition’s full terms and conditions.
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