According to the Harvard School of Public Health, virtually every food contains some dietary fat. Even lettuce and carrots contain fat. Fat is an energy source for humans, and it is necessary for cellular health. Unfortunately, it can be harmful in large quantities. Fat can contribute to obesity and a variety of chronic health problems.
Definition
There are two types of dietary fat that can be dangerous to your health in large quantities. The first is saturated fat. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the human body can make saturated fats, so you do not need them from outside sources. These fats are in common animal-based food items like meat and whole dairy products, and they are in certain plant-based items like coconuts and palm oil. Transfats are the second unhealthy fat type. They form when certain liquid fats are heated or solidified. They are common in baked goods, processed foods, french fries and margarine.
Effects
Both saturated fats and transfats raise bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Transfats also lower good cholesterol levels and trigger inflammation that has been linked to diabetes and strokes. High dietary fat levels can contribute to problems like infertility, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and macular degeneration, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. A fatty diet also can worsen age-related memory loss. Animal fat might increase the risk of certain cancer types, like breast and prostate cancer, although the link has not been definitively proven.
Considerations
Researchers are finding evidence that a fatty diet makes children more prone to allergic conditions like asthma and eczema. A study led Dr Paolo Lionetti at the University of Florence in Italy showed that youngsters who eat high-fat, sugary diets have lower levels of healthy intestinal bacteria than African youngsters who eat more grains and vegetables. The missing bacteria might contribute to a less-efficient immune system, making the children more vulnerable to allergy-related problems.
Time Frame
According to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the dangers of a fatty diet increase over time. The longer you eat a high-fat diet, the more the risk goes up for certain conditions like obesity, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The study used mice to mimic the results of a human consuming fatty foods from childhood through age 50. In addition to the increased health risks, the mice lost the ability to properly control their caloric intake over time.
Types
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, not all dietary fats are harmful. Unsaturated fats can lower blood cholesterol levels and support heart health if eaten in moderation. There are two main types of beneficial fats. The first is monounsaturated fats, which are present in olive oil, avocados, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and certain types of nuts like hazelnuts, almonds and pecans. The second is polyunsaturated fats, which are found in corn, sunflower, flaxseed and soybean oil, walnuts and fish.
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