Saturated Fat

Recent media stories have suggested saturated fat may not be as dangerous to heart health as once thought. The reports stem from new research published by the Harvard School of Public Health in the United States, which found no significant evidence to link dietary saturated fat with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
 
The Harvard researchers combined the results from a group of ‘cohort’ studies. The studies looked at different health end points, took into account (or controlled for) different factors (such as physical activity and alcohol intake) and the people they studied had different saturated fat intakes - making it difficult to combine the results. And these ‘cohort’ studies are a weaker type of study than randomised controlled trials.
 
While this research is interesting, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) does not believe the findings warrant changing current recommendations on saturated fat intake. DAA supports the current Dietary Guidelines for Australians which recommend ‘limiting saturated fat and moderating total fat intake’. DAA recommends Australians limit their intake of foods high in saturated fat AND poor in nutrition, such as many manufactured foods (like potato crisps, chocolate, cakes, biscuits and pastries).
 
DAA welcomes further research in this area and awaits the update to the Dietary Guidelines and Core Food Groups - which will consider all of the evidence in this area.