has little effect on blood cholesterol levels because an
increased dietary intake reduces the amount the body
produces. Only extreme dietary levels of cholesterol
need to be restricted. For most individuals, dietary
measures that reduce saturated fat also avoid excessive
cholesterol consumption. However, individuals with
familial hypercholesterolemia may need to consume
less than 300 mg/day, which requires avoidance of
most animal products.
The most concentrated dietary sources of choles-
terol include liver, offal, and products made from egg
yolk, mayonnaise, fish roes, and shellfish.PrecautionsThe guidelines for the recommended levels of diet-
ary fat is not appropriate for those under two years of
age, for those who are ill or malnourished, or for those
diagnosed withanorexia nervosa.Parental concernsA study conducted by the International Study of
Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) found a
strong correlation between trans fatty acids and
increased occurrence of allergies in adolescents.
Parents should provide healthy alternatives to foods
containing fatty acids and monitor the amount and
type of fats consumed in their diet. These preventative
measures help avoid serious health problems including
heart disease and stroke that can result from high
levels of fatty acids in the diet.Resources
BOOKS
Hark, L., and D. Deen.Nutrition for Life. London: Dorling
Kindersley, 2005.
Thomas, B.Cardiovascular Disease: General Aspects. Manual
of Dietetic Practice.Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2001.
Thomas, B.Hyperlipidaemia. Manual of Dietetic Practice.
Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2001.Webster-Gandy, J., A. Madden, and M. Holdsworth.
Oxford Handbook of Nutrition and Dietetics. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2006.
PERIODICALS
Chavarro, Jorge E., Janet W. Rich-Edwards, Bernard A.
Rosner, and Walter C. Willett. ‘‘Dietary Fatty Acid
Intakes and the Risk of Ovulatory Infertility.’’Ameri-
can Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 85, no. 1 (January
2007): 231-237.
Hooper, L., C. Summerbell, J. Higgins, et al. ‘‘Dietary Fat
Intake and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Sys-
tematic Review.’’British Medical Journal. 322
(March2001): 757-763.
Mead, A., G. Atkinson, D. Albin, et al. ‘‘Dietetic Guidelines
on Food and Nutrition in the Secondary Prevention of
Cardiovascular Disease—Evidence from Systematic
Reviews of Randomized Controlled Trials.’’Journal
of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 19 (January 2007):
401-409.
Mozaffarian, D., M. B. Katan, A. Ascherio, M. J. Stampfer,
and W. C. Willett ‘‘Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovas-
cular Disease.’’The New England Journal of Medicine.
354, no. 15 (April 13, 2006): 1601-1613.
Nutrition Sub-Committee of the Diabetes Care Advisory
Committee of Diabetes UK. ‘‘The Dietitians Challenge:
The Implementation of Nutritional Advice for People
with Diabetes.’’Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics
16, no. 6, (2003): 421-452.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association (ADA). 120 South Riverside
Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800): 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>.
American Heart Association. 7272 Greenville Avenue,
Dallas, TX 75231. Telephone: (800) 242-8721. Website:
<http://americanheart.org>.
British Dietetic Association. 5th Floor, Charles House, 148/
9 Great Charles Street, Queensway, Birmingham, B 3
3HT. Telephone: 0121 200 8080. Website:
<www.bda.uk.com>.
British Heart Foundation. 14 Fitzgerald Street, London
W1H 6DH. Telephone: 020 7935 0185. Website:
<www.bhf.org.uk>.
British Nutrition Foundation. High Holborn House, 52-54
High Holborn, London WC1V 6RQ. Telephone: 020
7404 6504. Website:<www.nutrition.org.uk>.
Food Standards Agency. Aviation House, 125 Kingsway,
London WC2B 6NH. Telephone: 020 7276 8000. Web
sites:<www.food.gov.uk>.
OTHER
Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. American Heart Association.
[cited May 7, 2007].<http://www.americanheart.org/
presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632>.
Food and Drug Administration. ‘‘Food Labeling; Trans
Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling; Consumer Research
to Consider Nutrient Content and Health Claims and
Possible Footnote or Disclosure Statements; Final Rule
and Proposed Rule.’’ United States Department ofQUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR
DOCTOR Why or why wouldn’t you recommend a full
lipid profile for me?
What is my cholesterol level? Is it within a
normal range?
What is my risk of heart disease or stroke?Fats