Along with protein and carbohydrates, fat is one of the three key nutrients supplying energy, in the form of calories, to the body, according to MedlinePlus. While getting enough fat is essential to proper body functions, high-fat diets pose significant health risks and can cause an array of health problems.
Heart Problems
Heart disease is the number-one killer of both men and women in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cholesterol, a fatty substance found in the blood and one of the key contributors to heart disease, increases when you eat a high-fat diet. Over time, cholesterol can build up on the walls of your arteries, leading to decreased blood flow and increased risk of a heart attack. People who eat high-fat diets have an increased risk of heart disease, heart attacks and premature death.
Mood Problems
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne revealed that depression is more common among women who consume processed, high-fat foods. A "western-diet" consisting of foods like pizza, beer, chips and hamburgers was found to be associated with a 50 percent greater likelihood of depression as opposed to diets that favored low-fat, nonprocessed foods.
Further, people on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet showed no long-term mood improvement from their original mood state, while those on a low-fat diet did, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The researchers found that although a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet did result in weight loss, the psychological effects are less beneficial than those of people who adopted a low-fat diet.
Breathing Problems
The effects of a high-fat diet go beyond heart and cardiovascular health. Australian research has shown that a high-fat diet can trigger asthma attacks and decrease lung function in people with asthma, reports the Department of Health and Human Services. The Australian study showed that after eating a high-fat meal, people suffering from asthma experienced increase airway inflammation and a decreased response to asthma medication, making it less effective.
References
- MedlinePlus: Fat
- National Institutes of Health: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need To Know
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Summary of State Laws: High-Fat Meal May Trigger Asthma
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: To Feel Better, Low-Fat Diet May Be Best
- The Daily Mail Online: Unhealthy diets could fuel female depression
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