The Risks of Diets High in Saturated Fats
There are four main types of dietary fats: saturated fats, unsaturated fats, trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats. Although you should eliminate trans fatty acids and hydrogenated fats from your diet, saturated and unsaturated fats are OK to eat in moderation and can be up to 30 percent of your daily calories, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. However, high amounts of saturated fats might lead to a potentially deadly health condition.
ARTERIAL PLAQUE AND HEART DISEASE
Saturated fats are the No. 1 cause of high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, according to MedlinePlus. LDL cholesterol is considered the "bad" cholesterol. When your LDL cholesterol levels are high, it can lead to plaques in the arteries, which may raise your risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. Your risk of developing high cholesterol is increased if you have a family history of high cholesterol, smoke or have diabetes.
STROKE
The plaque buildup from excessive cholesterol in your arteries can prevent your blood from getting to the brain. This can lead to an ischemic stroke. If you eat many saturated fats, and fear you may have high cholesterol, it is important to get tested to avoid a major, and potentially deadly, health complication.
LIVER DISEASE
A diet high in saturated fats can cause liver disease. Unfortunately, people afflicted with this disease seldom see symptoms until the liver is comprised of over 10 percent fat, according to the Better Health Channel. However, if you have stomach discomfort, yellowing skin and fatigue, you may be displaying signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Unless you also drink heavily, this type of liver disease is often treated with dietary and lifestyle changes. However, a study published in the September 2010 issue of the, “Journal of the National Cancer Institute,” found that diets high in saturated fats and red meats might also cause hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer.
HOW MUCH SATURATED FAT
Saturated fats are in most animal products, including meat, ice cream, milk, butter and cheese. Coconut and palm oils also contain saturated fats. If you are generally healthy, saturated fats can make up around 10 percent of your daily calorie intake. So, if you consume 2,000 calories a day, you can have 20 calories from saturated fats. That is a little over 2 grams.