Fats are necessary to sustain numerous body functions and are required to dissolve some vitamins so they can nourish the body. However, fats are high in calories, which can lead to weight gain and poor health. Unsaturated fats are the “good fats,” while saturated fats are classified as the “bad fats”.
Unsaturated fats are good for the heart, cholesterol, and overall health
Saturated fats are suspected to be a harmful dietary fat:
Consuming saturated fat increases the risk of developing various cardiovascular disorders, as well as cancer. It could also cause severe damage to bones.
Saturated fats negatively impact one’s health:
Several studies have been conducted to study the health effects of saturated fats on the heart. The following are some of the conclusions drawn from these studies:
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans published by the USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has advised that since the body produces enough saturated fats, it can be harmful to consume additional saturated fats from our diet. Higher levels of saturated fat intake could lead to an increase in total cholesterol and bad cholesterol, potentially leading to cardiovascular disorders.
An intake of saturated fats on regular basis is considered a risk factor for cancer and may be a major contributor to the increase of cancer cases worldwide:
These scientific studies have demonstrated that regular intake of saturated fats can lead to the growth of malignant cells, along with damage to organs like the prostate, ovaries, and rectum.
In summary, most medical communities and government organizations have illustrated the dangers of saturated fats on the heart. However, contrary reports exist as well, stating that dietary fats have no correlation with cardiovascular disease or the development of different types of cancer.
Nevertheless, overconsuming saturated fats in a diet many have harmful effects on health and fitness. Overindulgence in dietary saturated fats could potentially cause obesity and hormonal disorders. Obesity, in turn, could bring about the metabolic disease and cardiovascular problems in an individual. Additionally, an association has been reported between obesity and various types of cancer. Therefore, whether directly or indirectly, saturated fats could cause harm to an individual’s health.
The prudent thing to do is to adhere to portion control, which would limit the amount of saturated fat intake. Leading an active lifestyle, in combination with a healthy diet, will contribute significantly to good health.
References:
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Siri-Tarino, P. W., Sun, Q., Hu, F. B., & Krauss, R. M. (2010). Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. The American journal of clinical nutrition, ajcn-27725. Retrieved from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/91/3/535
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Brennan, S., Woodside, J., Lunny, M., Cardwell, C., & Cantwell, M. (2015). Dietary fat and breast cancer survival: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25692500
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