Beware of high cholesterol

Avoid saturated fatty acids in high cholesterol

08/17/2013

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in Europe. To minimize the risks, experts give some nutritional tips, which they gained from the evaluation of 48 studies.

As little saturated fat as possible
In Germany, every third cholesterol is too high. Elevated cholesterol levels are among the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Patients who are diagnosed with such an increase by a blood test are usually advised by the doctor not to smoke, lose weight and exercise more. Usually, a change in diet is also advised. However, the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) in Cologne emphasizes that there are no good scientific bases for many dietary tips. Only for the advice to take as little saturated fat as possible, the research provides a basis.

48 studies with more than 65,000 participants were evaluated
Scientists from the international research network Cochrane Collaboration evaluated 48 randomized controlled trials with a total of more than 65,000 participants, examining the effects of dietary fats on cardiovascular disease. The risk for these diseases can be lowered by consuming less saturated fat, according to the researchers. Animal foods such as meat, and especially the particularly fatty varieties such as pork, hard cheese, cream and butter contain particularly high levels of saturated fat. Vegetable products such as sunflower or olive oil, nuts and avocados as well as fish such as salmon and mackerel contain many unsaturated fatty acids.

Men can benefit more
Overall, the studies indicate that the risk of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by consuming less saturated fat. The scientists around Lee Hooper write on the IQWiG portal that it probably does not matter whether you consume less fat or replace the saturated ones with unsaturated fatty acids as far as possible. In total, five out of every 1,000 people could be saved from cardiovascular disease by taking measures that encourage participants to consume less saturated fat. But who wants to benefit from health, must probably change his diet permanently. Men could benefit from a change in their care, since they are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease anyway.

Many factors influence success
Scientists do not see it as proven that healthy people benefit just as much from a change in diet as patients already suffering from heart disease or those at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, such as people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes , However, the researchers believe that less saturated fat in the diet will benefit all groups. According to the IQWiG, the figures from the studies are only rough indications, because there are many factors that can influence the success of a diet change. (Ad)

Picture credits: Anna Reich