Is it safe to follow a low fat dietary pattern? And what about women who are already eating low fat for health?
Yes, a low-fat dietary pattern remains an option for generally healthy postmenopausal women. No adverse effects were found from the WHI low-fat dietary pattern. Further, the WH DM Trial results do not contradict the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines), which advise a total fat intake of 20-35% of energy and full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Thus, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 remain an option for generally healthy postmenopausal women. For heart disease, the Dietary Guidelines recommendations to reduce specific types of fat (saturated and trans fatty acids) and consume mostly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids instead seem even more important based on the WHI DM Trial results.
