25.07.2021 Views

Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

296 ALICE CALLAHAN, PHD, HEATHER LEONARD, MED, RDN, AND TAMBERLY POWELL, MS, RDN<br />

reduce the risk of heart disease. The amount <strong>and</strong> type of fat that a person eats can have a<br />

profound effect on the way their body metabolizes fat <strong>and</strong> cholesterol.<br />

If left unchecked, improper dietary fat consumption can lead down a path to severe health<br />

problems. An elevated level of lipids—including triglycerides <strong>and</strong> cholesterol—in the blood<br />

is called hyperlipidemia. Many diseases <strong>and</strong> health conditions are associated with high blood<br />

lipid levels, including:<br />

• Cardiovascular disease<br />

• Heart attack<br />

• Stroke<br />

• Congestive heart failure<br />

• Obesity<br />

RECOMMENDED FAT INTAKE<br />

Because of the association between dietary fat consumption <strong>and</strong> hyperlipidemia, health<br />

experts have developed recommendations for fat intake to help guide food choices. The<br />

acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) from the Dietary Reference Intake<br />

Committee <strong>and</strong> recommendations for adult fat consumption from the Dietary Guidelines for<br />

Americans are as follows:<br />

• Fat calories should be limited to 20-35 percent of total calories, with most<br />

fats coming from polyunsaturated <strong>and</strong> monounsaturated fats, such as those<br />

found in fish, nuts, <strong>and</strong> vegetable oils.<br />

• Consume fewer than 10 percent of calories from saturated fats. Some studies<br />

suggest that lowering the saturated fat content to less than 7 percent can further<br />

reduce the risk of heart disease, but other studies contradict this recommendation.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!