A new study shows that consuming high levels of trans fats can lead to higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, as well as deaths from heart-related problems.
Not all type of fat intake has same effects on our bodies, according to the study. One thing is clear, as confusing as the diet message can be at times, not all fats are equal. There are good (omega-3 and unsaturated fats) and bad fats (saturated and trans fat) in the food that we are eating. Some of them can really have devastating effects on the heart and its vessels.
The new study was published in the BMJ. Researchers came to the conclusion that trans-fats are linked to the highest overall rates of death from causes ranging from hypertension to diabetes, to stroke and heart disease. The risks associated with trans fats over-consumption surpassed even the risks previously associated with saturated fat usually found in foods like red meat, eggs, and butter.
The study was performed by researchers from the McMaster University. Russell de Souza, an epidemiologist and dietician, together with his colleagues researched through published studies involving hundreds of thousands of participants. The studies were looking for health effects of trans and saturated fats consumption.
The team of researchers has found that people eating more trans fats had a rate of dying of any cause higher by 34% compared to those eating less. The risk of dying from heart disease is also increased by 28% higher for those with a diet containing more trans fats, as well as a 21% greater risk of suffering from other heart-related issues.
According to the scientists who performed the research, eating saturated fat couldn't be linked to a higher risk of early death, stroke, heart-related problems or type 2 diabetes. However, this doesn't mean that dieticians endorse now consuming more saturated fats, according to Souza.
Those on a diet need to avoid the temptation of supplementing their fat intake by eating more trans fats to substitute cutting back on saturated fats. These are actually not healthy for your heart as well, even if they do not increase substantially heart disease risk. As Souza explained, trans fats are the worst in the hierarchy of heart-friendly fats, while saturated fats are just the next worse.
According to the study, the group of people with the lowest risk of heart disease or early death was composed of those who consumed the most vegetable oils such as canola or olive. From these results the message is that it is recommended to substitute trans and saturated fats with vegetable oils and whole grains, says de Souza.
The dietician added that the results of the study are in accordance with the current dietary guidelines for daily quantities of different types of fats people should consume in order to lower their risk of chronic diseases and maintain healthy heart. According to Souza, it is recommended to consume less than 10% of daily calories in saturated fat and get less than 1% of calories from trans fats.
