The effects of high-fat diets are evident as rates of obesity, overweight, diabetes and heart disease soar. All of these health issues have a common denominator of high-fat consumption. The recommendation for fat in the diet according to the American Heart Association guidelines is 25 to 35 percent of total calories from total fat, and saturated fat should be limited to 10 percent of total calories. Recommended cholesterol intake per day is less than 300 mg.
Overweight and Obesity
The consumption of a diet high in saturated fat can cause overweight and obesity. More than 60 percent of the U.S. population is now overweight or obese, according to the 2006 "American Journal of the Medical Sciences." This problem is a result of years of progressively diminishing diet quality. Since fat contributes the most calories per gram than any other nutrient, monitor portion sizes closely. These calories add up fast and are stored in the body as fat if not used for energy.
Heart Disease
Saturated fat, cholesterol and triglycerides are all direct contributors to heart disease. Unhealthy fat increases triglyceride levels and cholesterol and blocks arteries. After just one high-fat meal, the blood vessels experience immediate damage, according to a study in the 2003 "Journal of the American College of Cardiology." In healthy people, the damage repairs itself in a few hours with a return to healthy meals. For those with unhealthy diets who are already at high risk for heart disease, the harmful effects do not disappear quickly.
Insulin Resistance
Another effect of a high-fat diet is insulin resistance. This is the body's reduced sensitivity to insulin, resulting in decreased ability to regulate glucose effectively, break down fat and prevent the liver from making glucose, according to Medline Plus. All of these can lead to overweight, obesity and diabetes.
References
- The American Journal of the Medical Sciences; Overweight and Obesity: Prevalence, Consequences, and Causes of a Growing Public Health Problem; Sharon Wyatt et al.; 2006
- American Heart Association: Know your Fats
- Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Effect of Supplemental Phytonutrients on Impairment of the Flow-mediated Brachialartery Vasoactivity after a Single High-fat Meal; Gary Plotnick et al.; 2003.
- Medline Plus: Medical Dictionary: Insulin Resistance
Member Comments