Facts About Fats...What You Should Know

Plenty of confusion surrounds dietary fats and their role in a healthful diet.  This is not surprising considering all the conflicting information.   In the early 80s there was a shift in the American diet to decrease fat intake and rely more on carbohydrates as the basis of our diet.   This trend resulted, in part, from studies that purportedly linked fat intake, particularly saturated fat intake, to cardiovascular disease risk.  Interestingly however, as fat intake decreased, rates of obesity and chronic diseases  started to rise.  Obesity rates in the US had been relatively consistent until 1980, around 12-14%.  The 1980's saw a drastic increase to 22-25%, and now adult obesity rates exceed 35% of the population in five states, 30% in 25 states, and 25% in 46 states. (1)  Along with obesity, chronic disease rates have increased exponentially.  Diabetes rates have doubled in the last 20 years and more than 29 million American have diabetes and 86 million have prediabetes. (1)  So why are we seeing an increase in obesity and chronic disease even on low fat diets?

In truth, fats are an essential and healthful part of our diet.  The incidence of obesity and chronic diseases is not due to our fat intake, but to consuming calories from the wrong sources, nutrient imbalances, and INFLAMMATION.  Choosing the right fat depends on its application.  If you are looking for a fat to cook with you would choose one with a high smoke points to decrease the number of carcinogenic agents produced, but if you are making a  salad dressing, you could use an oil with a lower smoke point and optimal ratio of fatty acids..  Always keep in mind you need an optimal ration of various fatty acids such as omega 3 and 6 (discussed in more detail here), and the manner in which a fat is processed and stored is also very important.  

As with most things, moderation and variety are key.  Make sure to check out our resource page for recommendations on books and other great resources to strengthen your knowledge about fats and how important they are to health and wellness.  


(1) Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2018, April 26) The State of Obesity  Retrieved from https://www.stateofobesity.org

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