Dairy fat from milk, butter and cheese could improve your heart health



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Fruits and vegetables may seem like the most obvious healthy food choices, but there are other options researchers suggest you include in your diet as well. In a new study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, a team of scientists found that consuming milk fat from milk, butter and cheese can actually help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).

They discovered it by tracing the intake through fatty acids in the blood. “Many studies have relied on the ability of people to remember and record the amounts and types of dairy products they have eaten, which is particularly difficult given that dairy products are commonly used in a variety of foods. ‘foods,’ said Dr. Matti Marklund, co-author of a study. author from Uppsala University, in a statement.

Instead, the group measured blood levels of certain fatty acids, or “building blocks” of fat, found in dairy products. “This gives a more objective measure of milk fat intake that does not rely on memory or the quality of food databases,” continued Dr Marklund. “We found that those with the highest levels actually had the lowest risk of CVD.” The authors studied more than 4,000 Swedish adults in their research and gathered data from 17 other studies, which involved 43,000 participants in the US, UK and Denmark. Dr Marklund noted that a higher intake of milk fat did not correlate with higher risks of death.

Related: How To Support Your Heart As You Age

Various fresh dairy products

Various fresh dairy products

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They followed their own group of 60-year-old volunteers for about a decade and a half and tracked heart attacks, strokes, or circulatory disorders. As for their discoveries? Those with the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease and death actually had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease and death. upper fatty acid measurements in dairy products. Additionally, these results remained consistent even after accounting for minor and major differences in age, income, lifestyle, diet, or illness among participants. “While some dietary guidelines continue to suggest consumers choose low-fat dairy products, others have moved away from this advice, suggesting instead that dairy can be part of a healthy diet with an emphasis on selecting certain dairy products, for example yogurt rather than butter. – or avoiding sugary dairy products loaded with added sugar, “said Dr Marklund.” Although the results may be partly influenced by other factors than milk fat, our study does not suggest any danger for milk fat per se. “

In terms of types of dairy products, do researchers recommend eating the most? Dr Kathy Trieu, lead author from the George Institute for Global Health in Australia, said previous research showed fermented dairy products were best for heart health. “Growing evidence suggests that the health impact of dairy products may depend more on types – like cheese, yogurt, milk and butter – rather than on fat content, which has raised doubts as to whether avoiding dairy fat is overall beneficial for cardiovascular health, “she said. “Our study suggests that cutting back on dairy fat or avoiding dairy altogether may not be the best choice for heart health.” In addition, “it is important to remember that while dairy products can be high in saturated fat, they are also high in many other nutrients and can be part of a healthy diet,” added Dr Trieu. “However, other fats like those found in seafood, nuts, and non-tropical vegetable oils may have greater health benefits than dairy fats.”

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