Low Fat Diet
From Health Facts
Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-13 (EDT)
| See Also | Naturopathic Therapies |
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| See Also | Clinical Nutrition |
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As the name implies, a low-fat diet it low in fat, especially saturated fat and cholesterol. Fats and oils play an important role in health and in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E and K. Adopting a low-fat diet is often prescribed when a person's diet is too high in fat and is causing health concerns.
Uses
A low-fat diet may benefit the following conditions:
- Coronary artery disease.[1]
- Fibrocystic breast disease.[2]
- Some research indicates that a low-fat diet may aid weight loss, [3] while other more recent studies show that a low-carbohydrate or a Mediterranean Diet may be more effective.[4] Choosing the appropriate diet for weight loss seems to depend on personal preferences and the metabolic differences of each individual.
Cautions
- A low fat diet is often recommended short-term. It is seldom a healthy long-term diet.
- For those with nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or dementia a low-fat diet may worsen symptoms or may contribute to the progression of the disease.
- Fat is required for healthy joints and discs. A low-fat diet needs to be used with caution in cases of musculoskeletal conditions.
References
- ↑ Schuler, G, Hambrecht, R, Schlierf, G, Niebauer, J, Hauer, K, Neumann, J, Hoberg, E, Drinkmann, A, Bacher, F, and Grunze M (1992) Regular physical exercise and low-fat diet. Effects on progression of coronary artery disease. Circulation; 86, 1-11.
- ↑ Rose, DP, Boyar, AP, Cohen, C, and Strong, LE (1987) Effect of a low-fat diet on hormone levels in women with cystic breast disease. I. Serum steroids and gonadotropins. Journal of the National Cancer Institute; 78(4):623-6.
- ↑ Howard Barbara, Manson JoAnn, Stefanick Marcia, et al. (2006) Low-Fat Dietary Pattern and Weight Change Over 7 Years, The Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial. JAMA;295(1):39-49. [1]
- ↑ Shai Iris, Schwarzfuchs Dan, Henkin Yaakov, et al. (2008) Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet N Engl J Med;359:229-241. [2]
