IDF Maintains that Dairy Fats Play a Role in a Healthy and Balanced Diet After FAO/WHO Report

The report shows that replacing saturated fatty acids with refined carbohydrates has no benefit for CHD and may even increase the risk of CHD and metabolic syndrome development.

3/14/2011 --- The International Dairy Federation (IDF) welcomes the FAO/WHO conclusion that there is no convincing evidence for significant effects of total dietary fats on coronary heart disease (CHD) or cancer. It also notes in the report conclusion that energy balance is the critical factor in maintaining a healthy body weight, regardless of the percent energy of total fat. In addition, the report shows that replacing saturated fatty acids with refined carbohydrates has no benefit for CHD and may even increase the risk of CHD and metabolic syndrome development.

“These recommendations are in line with the outcome of the IDF-facilitated symposium ‘Scientific Update on dairy fat and CHD’, which highlighted that despite the contribution of dairy products to the saturated fatty acid content of the diet, there is no clear evidence that dairy food consumption is consistently associated with a higher risk of CHD,” commented Richard Doyle, IDF President.

The IDF is pleased to see that that the report recognizes the distinct biological properties and health effects of individual fatty acids, including the different saturated fatty acids, although these were not yet translated in dietary advice.

However, the IDF has reacted to the recommendation on total trans fatty acids (TFA), which does not reflect the differentiation between trans fats from animal and industrial sources. It believes this differentiation is justified on the scientific evidence presented in the report that indicates harmful effects from industrially produced sources of TFA. The report recognizes that amongst adults, the estimated average daily ruminant TFA intake in most societies is low. This is in agreement with the previously published WHO Scientific Update on trans fatty acids that stated there is no conclusive evidence as yet to support an association of ruminant TFA with CHD risks in the amounts usually consumed in the diet.

The IDF stresses that dairy products, which contain both saturated fatty acids and ruminant trans fatty acids, are part of a healthy and balanced diet. Given the contribution of dairy foods to nutrient intake within the population, recommendations to reduce dairy food consumption irrespective of the nature of the dairy product should therefore only be made with caution.