WHO Urges Reduced Saturated Animal Fat Intake to Combat Cardiovascular Disease Epidemic

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that both adults and children cut down on saturated fats, found in meat, dairy, and eggs.

Saturated fats contribute to diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, that cause seventy-two percent of deaths every year around the world.

“Reduced intake of saturated fatty acids have been associated with a significant reduction in risk of coronary heart disease when replaced with polyunsaturated fatty acids or carbohydrates from whole grains,” the report notes.

“Dietary saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids are of particular concern,” Dr. Francesco Branco, Director of the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development for WHO, added in a statement. “High levels of intake are correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.”

A plant-based diet, low in saturated fats, however, has recently been recommended by doctors as lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death. Former president of the American College of Cardiology, Kim Allan Williams, MD, spoke out in a recent presentation at Rush University Medical Centre about the benefits of a plant-based diet in reducing the risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Eggs cause more cancer than processed red meat,” Williams explained. “And processed red meat is on the World Health Organization’s class 1 carcinogen list. Cardiovascular disease is more related to the intake of processed red meat, but for total mortality, all-cause mortality, there are no safe animals products.”

“The best thing you can do it take every piece of processed meat and substitute it with a nut, and you would dramatically decrease the risk,” she added.

Williams is not the first to point out the correlation between processed meats and disease, many recent studies have linked the two factors. In March, a study from Queen’s University Belfast discovered a link between the nitrates used to cure meats, such as bacon, and colorectal cancer.

“When people consume bacon – which is currently cured with nitrites in the UK – they could be increasing their risk of contracting cancer,” lead researcher of the study, Professor Chris Elliot, said. He added, “It is estimated that more than 50 percent of bowel cancer cases are preventable and lifestyle changes such as improved diet could help.”