Dietary Fatty Acids: Is it Time to Change the Recommendations?

Abstract

Limiting the saturated fatty acid (SAFA) consumption forms the basis of dietary fat recommendations for heart health, despite several meta-analyses demonstrating no link between dietary SAFA and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Three experts on dietary fat and health discussed the evidence of reducing SAFA intake at a symposium of the Federation of European Nutrition Societies in Berlin, Germany, October 23, 2015. Ronald P. Mensink, Maastricht University, the Netherlands, discussed the evidence linking dietary fatty acids and CVD risk. He emphasized the importance of the replacement nutrient(s) when SAFA intake is reduced. Julie Lovegrove, University of Reading, UK, addressed the question of whether higher intakes of unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial. She discussed the replacement of SAFA by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), noting the reduction in CVD risk with PUFA replacement and in CVD risk markers with MUFA replacement of SAFA. Ursula Schwab, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland, discussed the importance of dietary patterns in achieving reduced risk of CVD, observing that several dietary patterns following the principles of a health-promoting diet and adapted to local customs, food preferences and seasonality are effective in reducing the risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. This paper summarizes the symposium presentations.

Cardio-Metabolic Effects of High-Fat Diets and Their Underlying Mechanisms—A Narrative Review

“…In addition, analysis of data from 28 trials showed a decrease in body weight of 1.6 g/d for every percentage decrease in daily energy intake from fat [14]. Specifically, increased consumption of saturated fats has been associated with risk factors such as elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B [9,10,15]. Similarly, high intake of trans unsaturated fatty acids increases the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular mortality [9,16].…”

“…Increased fat consumption has been considered responsible for obesity and associated metabolic disease [7,8]. In particular, saturated fats have been linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes [9,10]. Diets rich in saturated fats have been widely employed in rodent studies to study the mechanisms of insulin resistance [11,12].…”

Effect of hazelnut on serum lipid profile and fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia: A randomized controlled trial

“…The benefits associated with replacing SFAs with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on lipid profile and other CV risk factors have been increasingly demonstrated [4], together with the advantages on CV risk and metabolic profile deriving from healthy dietary patterns, e.g. the Mediterranean diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, fish and olive oil [4].…”

Influence of dietary fat sources and conjugated fatty acid on egg quality, yolk cholesterol, and yolk fatty acid composition of laying hens

“…SFA consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease is still under controversy (Nettleton et al, 2016).…”