Risk of Alzheimer's significantly higher for people who consume trans fats: Study
| Oct 25, 2019, 12:44 IST
A new study claims those who consume trans fats have a higher chance of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan.
Certain types of meat and dairy foods contain trans fats in small amounts. However, the greatest exposure is gained from processed foods, which are known as artificial trans fats. Hydrogen and liquid vegetable oils are used to make these kinds of products more solid. You will find it in various products: fried foods, coffee creamer, cakes, frozen pizza, cookies, crackers, and biscuits.
For the study, researchers monitored almost 1,600 Japanese men and women for 10 years. None of the participants in the study had dementia at the beginning of the study. The team took blood tests for trans fat levels and made note of each person's diet. Researchers also took into account other contributing factors, like high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, that may affect an individual's risk of developing dementia.
"This study demonstrates that there are negative 'brain/cognitive' outcomes, in addition to the known cardiovascular outcomes, that are related to a diet that has (a) high content of trans fats,"neurologist Dr Neelum T. Aggarwal told a news portal. Aggarwal is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and a co-leader of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago (US).
Experts say the findings are extremely important helps to back up evidence about the risks involved regarding consuming trans fats in high amounts. "The study used blood marker levels of trans fats, rather than more traditionally used dietary questionnaires, which increases the scientific validity of the results," neurologist Dr Richard Isaacson, who is the director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, told a news portal. Adding, "This study is important as it builds upon prior evidence that dietary intake of trans fats can increase risk of Alzheimer's dementia."
Researchers warn even small doses of artificial trans fat could lead to serious health issues like dementia, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. "In the United States, the small amounts still allowed in foods can really add up if people eat multiple servings of these foods, and trans fats are still allowed in many other countries," study author Dr Toshiharu Ninomiya, a professor at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, told a news portal.
Experts urge the public to be mindful of the food items they choose to consume, especially if they are at risk of certain health condition. "People at risk still need to pay careful attention to nutrition labels," Isaacson told a news portal. Adding "When it comes to nutrition labels, the fewer ingredients, the better! Focus on natural whole food, and minimize or avoid those that are highly processed."
Aggarwal added: "This message must be delivered in countries where the ban of trans fats has not been enacted or difficult to enforce."
The study's findings were originally published in the journal Neurology.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
Certain types of meat and dairy foods contain trans fats in small amounts. However, the greatest exposure is gained from processed foods, which are known as artificial trans fats. Hydrogen and liquid vegetable oils are used to make these kinds of products more solid. You will find it in various products: fried foods, coffee creamer, cakes, frozen pizza, cookies, crackers, and biscuits.
For the study, researchers monitored almost 1,600 Japanese men and women for 10 years. None of the participants in the study had dementia at the beginning of the study. The team took blood tests for trans fat levels and made note of each person's diet. Researchers also took into account other contributing factors, like high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, that may affect an individual's risk of developing dementia.
"This study demonstrates that there are negative 'brain/cognitive' outcomes, in addition to the known cardiovascular outcomes, that are related to a diet that has (a) high content of trans fats,"neurologist Dr Neelum T. Aggarwal told a news portal. Aggarwal is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and a co-leader of the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago (US).
Experts say the findings are extremely important helps to back up evidence about the risks involved regarding consuming trans fats in high amounts. "The study used blood marker levels of trans fats, rather than more traditionally used dietary questionnaires, which increases the scientific validity of the results," neurologist Dr Richard Isaacson, who is the director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, told a news portal. Adding, "This study is important as it builds upon prior evidence that dietary intake of trans fats can increase risk of Alzheimer's dementia."
Researchers warn even small doses of artificial trans fat could lead to serious health issues like dementia, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. "In the United States, the small amounts still allowed in foods can really add up if people eat multiple servings of these foods, and trans fats are still allowed in many other countries," study author Dr Toshiharu Ninomiya, a professor at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, told a news portal.
Experts urge the public to be mindful of the food items they choose to consume, especially if they are at risk of certain health condition. "People at risk still need to pay careful attention to nutrition labels," Isaacson told a news portal. Adding "When it comes to nutrition labels, the fewer ingredients, the better! Focus on natural whole food, and minimize or avoid those that are highly processed."
Aggarwal added: "This message must be delivered in countries where the ban of trans fats has not been enacted or difficult to enforce."
The study's findings were originally published in the journal Neurology.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images