HHS HealthBeat (February 27, 2006)

What’s up with low fat?

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Eat a low-fat diet with lots of fruit, vegetables and grains. That’s standard dietary advice. But now some people wonder if the advice stands up.

Three studies of post-menopausal women were in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The studies were supported by the National Institutes of Health.

In something of a surprise, researchers said women on a low-fat diet didn’t reduce their risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease or stroke.

But there still were indications of some benefits. Ross Prentice of Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center:

"We see, among women that started with a relatively high-fat diet, we have stronger evidence of a reduction in breast cancer risk." (six seconds)

Federal health officials say current recommendations stand. They emphasize cutting cholesterol, and saturated and trans fats.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August, 15 2006