Diet composition and the metabolic syndrome: what is the optimal fat intake?

Grundy, Scott M; Abate, Nicola; Chandalia, Manisha

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 113, Issue 9, Supplement 2 , Pages 25-29, 30 December 2002

Diet composition and the metabolic syndrome: what is the optimal fat intake?

Scott M Grundy, MD, PhD
- Center for Human Nutrition (SMG), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Departments of Internal Medicine (SMG, NA, MC), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Clinical Nutrition (SMG, NA), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Requests for reprints should be addressed to Scott M. Grundy, MD, PhD, Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75235-9052, USA.
Nicola Abate, MD
- Departments of Internal Medicine (SMG, NA, MC), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Clinical Nutrition (SMG, NA), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
Manisha Chandalia, MD
- Departments of Internal Medicine (SMG, NA, MC), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MC), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

Abstract

Two cholesterol-raising fatty acids in the diet, saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids, increase the serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. This fact justifies the recommendation of a reduced intake of cholesterol-raising fatty acids. Emerging data suggest that diets higher in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly monounsaturated fatty acids, have several advantages over high-carbohydrate intakes. This advantage appears to hold, particularly for populations having a high prevalence of insulin resistance, such as the US population. If the US public were to modify its eating habits in the direction of better weight control and more exercise, higher intakes of carbohydrate might be better tolerated. At the same time, the experience with the Mediterranean population reveals that in healthier populations, diets relatively high in unsaturated fatty acids are well tolerated and are associated with a low prevalence of both coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.