The amount of trans fats Americans eat has declined over the years, but we are still consuming more than is recommended.
Healthy living is about staying up to date on the latest health research. The American Heart Association conducted a review of six surveys from the Minnesota Heart Survey in 1980-2009.
According to the surveys of about 12,000 adults 25-74 years old in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area:
• Trans fat intake dropped by about one-third in men (32 percent) and women (35 percent).
• Average intake of the omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) was steady, but current intake is still very low.
• Intake of saturated fats dropped, but still account for about 11.4 percent of daily calories for men and women. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to 5-6 percent of total calories.
“There’s a downward trend in trans and saturated fat intake levels, but it’s clear that we still have room for improvement,” explained Mary Ann Honors, Ph.D., lead study author and an epidemiology researcher at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis.
Saturated fats and trans fats are known to increase the risk of heart disease because they can raise saturated fat levels and lower good cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in animal based foods, including meat and dairy products. Trans fats are often found in processed foods, like cookies, pizzas, pastries, pies, and more.
The study found that men consumed about 1.9 percent of their daily calories from trans fats, and women about 1.7 percent. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1 percent of daily calories to be trans fats.
“To make your diet more in line with the recommendations, use the nutritional panel on food labels to choose foods with little or no trans fats,” Honors said.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.
Hospitalizations and deaths from heart disease, stroke drop in the last decade.
High fat meals could be more harmful to males than females.
For an artery and heart health juice.
For tips on how to lower your cholesterol.
Tomato extract pill may treat heart disease.
REFERENCES:
1. “Trans Fats Still Weighing Americans down.” AHA Newsroom. American Heart Association, 22 Oct. 2014. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
2. “Trans Fat: Avoid This Cholesterol Double Whammy.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2014.
3. “Trans Fat.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 08 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.
