- Low-fat diet
According to the
USDA , a low-fat dietndash as the name impliesndash is a diet that consists of little fat, especiallysaturated fat andcholesterol , which can lead to increased blood cholesterol levels and heart disease risk. It is imperative to know that "some" dietary fat is needed for good health though: fats supply energy and essentialfatty acids , in addition to further enhancing the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. [USDA , " [http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dga/dga95/lowfat.html Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol] ", Retrieved on July 2007]However, in recent years the exact health benefits of a low-fat diet have been debated. A 2006 study published by the
Journal of the American Medical Association argued that a low-fat diet did not reduce the incidence of breast cancer. [ [http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/168/7/713 Arch Intern Med - Sign In Page ] ] However, this study was criticized by several epidemiologists for its lack of validity (see "Criticisms" in theWomen's Health Initiative article). Recently, theNurses' Health Study from theHarvard School of Public Health reported from aDietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and found that a diet "with high intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, moderate intake of legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy products, and low intake of red and processed meats and sodium, was significantly associated with lower risk ofcoronary heart disease andstroke in women." [ [http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/168/7/713 Arch Intern Med - Sign In Page ] ] A 2002Cochrane Review found low-fat diets to be no more effective than other weight loss diets in achieving lasting weight loss. [ [http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003640.html Pirozzo S, Summerbell C, Cameron C, Glasziou P. Advice on low-fat diets for obesity. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003640. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003640] ]References
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