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Low Fat Diets Not All They Are Cracked Up To Be

Low Fat Diet May Not Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

Low fat diets have long been touted as a panacea or cure all if you will for all kinds of disorders including heart disease and cancer. Recent studies however have failed to find a link between a reduced risk of breast and colon cancer or a link between reduced risk for heart disease in women enjoying a low fat diet.

Previously researchers believed that a low fat diet may reduce a woman's risk of these diseases. Recent studies however conducted by the Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial suggest a link does not exist. These results were recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In this particular study, conducted between 1993 and 2005 more than 48,000 volunteers were examined following a low fat diet that included increased vegetable and fruit consumption to a minimum of five servings each day. Study participants included women aged 50 to 79 years. The average follow up for participants was slightly over 7 years. Significant reduction in breast cancer or colon risk or heart disease was not realized in study participants.

Low Fat Diet Significant For Select Groups of Women
There was however some promising news however resulting from this most recent study. A low fat diet was found to have a positive effect on women who tested positive for the estrogen receptor and negative for progesterone receptors. This suggests that for some women a low fat diet may be beneficial.

There are multiple factors that may influence a woman's risk for cancer and heart disease. Among these include a woman's hormone levels, insulin growth factors, genetics and overall health and well being.

Fortunately the medical community is working diligently to increase awareness of heart disease as a major killer for women and men alike. This will hopefully prompt new studies that will help promote awareness and better screening and treatment methods for women diagnosed with heart disease.

Future studies need to focus more on how individual dietary changes may affect a woman's overall risk for developing heart disease and various cancers. Certainly no harm can come of increasing one's consumption of fruits and vegetables in the diet. A lower fat diet is helpful for minimizing insulin response and problems with weight gain particularly in patients subject to obesity and diabetes.

This study simply points out that an exact diet, specifically the low fat diet, may not necessarily reduce a woman's risk of developing certain types of cancer or heart disease. This does not suggest however that a diet low in fact is unhealthy.

There is still evidence supporter reductions in heart disease among women who generally consume a lower level of saturated and trans fats on a regular basis. Higher intake of fruits and vegetables also serve to provide the body with multiple vitamins and nutrients that are essential for optimal bone development, health and well being. There are thus many indirect benefits of consuming a low fat diet that incorporates multiple fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. This form of diet may help reduce ones risk for developing diabetes for example, and may reduce ones risk for hypertension.

It is important that you consult with your health care provider regarding specific measures to help promote your optimal health and well being. Based on your overall health, weight and medical or genetic history, your doctor can help you evaluate the relative merits or demerits of a low fat or any other type of diet designed to promote your health and well being.