home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- FUNCTION-
-
- Saturated fat is described by
- its ability to be more solid at
- room temperature than other
- fats. Saturated fatty acids
- are named so because they
- are saturated with as many
- hydrogen atoms as they can
- hold.
-
-
- FOOD SOURCES-
-
- Saturated fats come primarily
- from animal sources (meats,
- butter, and dairy products).
- Coconut and palm oils also
- contain high amounts of
- saturated fatty acids.
-
-
- RISKS WITH EXCESS-
-
- A diet high in saturated fat
- can lead to high blood
- cholesterol levels and
- possibly coronary heart
- disease. It is recommended
- that no more than 10 percent
- of your calories should come
- from saturated fats.
-
-
- RISKS WITH DEFICIENCY-
-
- There is no risk with a diet
- lacking saturated fats.
- Saturated fats come chiefly
- from animal sources.
- Vegetarians who don't con-
- sume any animal products
- (Vegans) usually have very
- little saturated fat in their
- diets. FDA states many
- factors affecting heart dis-
- ease, but diets low in
- saturated fat and cholesterol
- may reduce the risk of this
- disease.
-