Maintaining long-term health through balanced nutrition is as much about the nutrients you seek out as the harmful substances you avoid. Given that heart disease continues to reign supreme as the leading cause of death around the world, it is especially important to follow a diet that reduces your risk of this condition rather than enhancing it. And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has your back.
Trans fats, which are found in French fries and other beloved greasy fare, are well known to contribute to heart disease risk and poor health overall. However, for years we have simply accepted that we’ll cross paths with these fats from time to time, no matter how vigilant we are about avoiding them. But this week, the FDA issued a preliminary determination that the main source of artificial trans fats in food – partially hydrogenated oils – may not be safe. The FDA has initiated a 60-day comment period for further research into trans fats to be presented.
“While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern. The FDA’s action today is an important step toward protecting more Americans from the potential dangers of trans fat,” said Dr. Margaret Hamburg, FDA Commissioner, in a press release.
Dr. Hamburg noted that lowering exposure to trans fats could prevent thousands of heart attacks each year and would generally be a boon for American health overall.
In addition to avoiding trans fats and excessive sodium, other heart-healthy behaviors include engaging in regular exercise. Studies have also shown that nutritional compounds like omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce internal inflammation and blood pressure, as well as promoting brain health. Click here to read information about our multivitamins.