Dairy Products and Health Benefits

Dairy fat may prevent heart disease, stroke

To study the effect of dairy on mortality risk and cardiovascular health, Dr. Mozaffarian and team examined over 2,900 U.S. seniors, aged 65 and above.

The researchers measured the participants’ blood plasma levels of three fatty acids contained by dairy products at the beginning of the study in 1992, 6 years later, and then 13 years later.

Associations with “total mortality, cause-specific mortality, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk” were examined.

During the 22-year follow-up period, 2,428 of the participants died. Of these deaths, 833 were due to heart disease.

However, none of the three fatty acids examined correlated with the risk of total mortality. In fact, high circulating levels of heptadecanoic fatty acid were associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease.

Also, adults with higher levels of fatty acids overall were 42 percent less likely to die from stroke, revealed the analysis.

“Dairy fat, contrary to popular belief, does not increase the risk of heart disease or overall mortality in older adults. In addition, the results suggest that one fatty acid present in dairy may lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, particularly from stroke.” – Marcia Otto

She adds, “Consumers have been exposed to so much different and conflicting information about diet, particularly in relation to fats,” and she highlights the fact that “a growing body of evidence” suggests that dairy fat is actually good for you.

“It’s important to have robust studies, so people can make more balanced and informed choices based on scientific fact rather than hearsay,” Otto concludes.

Refer: https://goo.gl/bK8DgT

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