Health and Living

Women who follow a low-fat diet may not be getting as many essential nutrients as they should, according to the findings of a 27,000-person U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study.

More than half the women who reduced their fat intake to less than 30 percent of total calories were short-changing themselves on vitamins A and E, calcium, folic acid, iron and zinc.

This, in turn, places them at greater risk for osteoporosis, pregnancy-related problems and, perhaps, certain types of cancer

While a low-fat diet is recommended for the prevention of obesity, breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease, following a low-fat diet at the expense of nutrients is not a wise choice.

Instead, women - and men as well - should follow a diet that is varied and balanced, low in fat and high in essential nutrients.

For some, supplementation may be in order. For others, simply choosing high-nutrient foods over high-sugar, low-fat foods can make a positive difference in overall health.

Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, April 19, 1998

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