AHA Revising Fat Guidelines

The American Heart Association, whose dietary advice has a profound influence on what we eat, is reconsidering guidelines on what constitutes a healthy fat intake. In reviewing the decades-old guidelines, the AHA is looking at types and amounts of fat recommended in diets. The AHA now recommends healthy Americans take in no more than 30 percent of calories from fat -- and under 10 percent of calories from saturated fat, found in fatty meats and whole milk. Guidelines also recommend up to 10 percent from polyunsaturated fat, from vegetable oils like corn, and up to 15 percent from monounsaturated fat.

Other guidelines under review could lead to more individualized diet plans for people with specific conditions, such as diabetes, and more restricted fat intake for some people, such as those with heart disease.

The new guidelines should be complete by May or June, an AHA spokesman told ThirdAge News.

A high-saturated-fat, high-cholesterol diet can raise the level of cholesterol in blood, which can speed development of artherosclerosis -- buildup of fatty deposits in the inner walls of arteries. Narrowing of arteries by fatty deposits increases the risk of blockage, blood clots and heart attacks.

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