A new study regarding what you should and shouldn’t eat is bringing scientists and nutritionists to the table, ready to devour the findings.
Rajiv Chowdhury, cardiovascular epidemiologist at Cambridge University, published a new study last week in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal stating there is no direct correlation between how much saturated fat a person eats and their risk for developing heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, is the No. 1 killer of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC website correlates saturated fat intake with higher cholesterol levels and the creation of artery blockages.
Sandra May, registered dietician in the School of Nutrition and Food Science, said saturated fats are formed in such a way as to clog a person’s arteries, leading to an array of cardiovascular problems.
Saturated fats are chains of hydrocarbons without a double bond. This gives them a linear form and allows the fatty acids to pack together tightly. Well-known saturated fats like butter and lard are solid at room temperature because of their concise structure.
Unsaturated fats contain a double hydrogen bond, which causes a bend in the chain, and are usually in liquid form. Common unsaturated fats include vegetable oils and fish oils.
May neither disputed nor approved of Chowdhury’s findings.
“It’s one study. Other studies show a correlation between the two. We discover new things all the time. It may be true,” May said.
She pointed out there are contributing factors to heart disease other than fat intake. Genetics, exercise and other risk factors play a role in developing cardiovascular disease.
Nutrition professor and registered dietician Carol Lammi-Keefe agreed with May, stating new data is constantly being produced and the recommendations of fat intake can change. Past studies created the now-used fat consumption protocol.
May suggested a person should try to keep their saturated fat intake to 10 percent or less for their total daily calories, which is 200 calories from saturated fat for someone on a 2,000 calories a day regimen.
“You have to make good choices,” May said. “Grilled and baked foods, vegetables and items not cooked in a lot of fat are better for you.”