It was tested and found over a period of 14 years, that adults of the age of 60 years were much less likely to die from any kinds of heart disease or other form of disease, if their blood contained high levels of poly-unsaturated fats (PUFAs).
Vegetables and Fish contain the ‘healthy fats’ which are the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. It is advised that adults should consume 20 to 35 percent of fats in their daily diet most of which should consist of the unsaturated Fats.
During the study 2,193 Swedish women and 2,039 Swedish men were provided different types of fats to consume and then almost half of them were followed up for 14 and a half years. During this period, 191 women and 265 men died while 294 men and 190 women suffered from cardio vascular diseases.
It was found out that the vegetable oil contains linoleic acid which decreases the chances of death in men by 27 percent while PUFAs have positive effects on the body and the fatty acids found in fish like EPH and DPH reduce the chances of death of both men and women by 20 percent.
Moreover it was also found that women who had higher concentration of ALA in their blood were 72 percent more at risk than the others. But according to the authors it is not the ALA that increases chances of heart diseases; it is the large consumption of margarine, lesser muscle mass or some other health conditions. However it was admitted that the study consisted of a slight flaw as the testing for fats in blood was done only once.
According to Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at New York University’s Center for Musculoskeletal Care and Sports Performance, for a long life span your whole lifestyle should be considered. There should be more physical exercise and less consumption of animal foods and products. Furthermore, people should try a larger variety of foods mostly consisting of vegetables. However, through this study, one can understand that there are great health benefits for older adults by consuming PUFAs
