Research: NETTLETON and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 199

Abstract

NETTLETON and COLLEAGUES, ScienceVoice Consulting, Denver, CO 80205, USA. sciencevoice@q.com  prepared a report regarding an experts debate at the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL)  2010 about the importance of reducing saturated fatty acid intake to prevent cardiovascular disease and recommended intakes for omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs),.

Background

The importance of reducing saturated fatty acid intake to prevent cardiovascular disease and recommended intakes for omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are controversial. Therefore, experts debated these topics at the biennial meeting of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL), in May 2010.

Methodology

Debate transcripts, debaters' and discussants' reviews and literature citations were the basis of this report.

Results

Participants agreed that saturates per se are not 'bad', but that dietary recommendations should emphasize the substitution of unsaturates for part of the saturates. Evidence supporting omega-6 PUFA intakes of 5 to 10% is mixed; some interpret the overall data from diverse studies as consistent with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular mortality and events. Others assert that randomized controlled trial data suggest that higher intakes of omega-6 PUFAs are not associated with lower risk of heart disease, or may even increase it.

Conclusion

All agreed that a 5-year randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of historically low (2%) with currently high (7.5%) linoleic acid intakes on cardiac endpoints would address the knowledge gap about the effects of different omega-6 PUFA intakes on the risk of heart disease.

References

Nettleton JA, Koletzko B and Hornstra G. ISSFAL 2010 dinner debate: healthy fats for healthy hearts - annotated report of a scientific discussion. Comments Comment in: Ann Nutr Metab. 2011;58(1):66-7; PMID: 21430376  Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 58(1): 59-65. 2011.

ICAN 2024 Skyscraper

Scientific and Medical Network 2

Cycle Around the World for Charity 2023

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Charity 2023

top of the page