True or False , Demystifying Fats, Sugar and Salt

Question

Eating an excess of saturated and trans fatty acids is detrimental to health and increases the risk of developing chronic diseases. Unsaturated fats, especially Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats have a protective effect.



Answer 1

True. This is well documented and researched topic. By googling a combination of "unsaturated fatty acid", "saturated fatty acids", and "health" will bring up an enormous amount of resources to reiterate that this statement is true.

Answer 2

Hello Andrew!

When you consume an excess amount of any type of macromolecule it can lead to chronic disease because it can cause obesity. However, generally speaking, it is recommended by the FDA to have a total saturated fat level of no more than 20% in the diet. Personally I think this is relatively high. I would recommend an individual that needs 2000 calories a day to maintain current body weight consume no more than 10%, or 20g. Consuming an excess of saturated fats that come from sources such as animal fats, or any fat that is solid at room temperature, can have a deleterious effect upon overall health. Overconsumption can cause cardiovascular disease, so it is recommended to obtain fats from unsaturated plant sources such as olive oil, avocados, seeds and nuts. Fat is a valuable nutrient in the diet because it helps other nutrients and vitamins to be properly absorbed by the cells and tissues of the body.