3. Saturated fats could cut your life span.
Like those present in sausages, butter and cheese, saturated fats have been shown to increase levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. Why is this kind of cholesterol so evil? First of all, it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, so professionals advise that an adult over 50 should consume no more than 10% of their diet.
Studies have shown that eating plenty of saturated fat raises insulin sensitivity, which can cause diabetes to develop. In one study, subjects who consumed significant levels of saturated fat raised their insulin sensitivity by 12.5%. This is in contrast to the people who ate monounsaturated fats, such olive oil, who dropped 8.8%!
High amounts of saturated fat also raised the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in those with low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and raised triglycerides. Although our bodies need fat to run effectively, once you have celebrated your fifth decade you should cut back on the saturated fat you consume.
Men should not consume more than 30g of saturated fat daily; women should not consume more than 20g. Rather, choose thinner cuts of meat, or cut off any extra fat; substitute healthier unsaturated alternatives include vegetable oils, almonds, avocados and fatty fish.
