Are you consuming the right nutrients?
Getting the right amount of healthy fats and proteins can be key in a healthy diet.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) state that nutrients provided by various types of protein foods differ.
For example, meats provide the most zinc, while poultry provides the most niacin… Eggs provide the most choline and nuts and seeds provide the most vitamin E.”
Naturally occurring trans fats, known as “natural” or “ruminant” trans fats, are produced by ruminant animals…Because natural trans fats are present in dairy products and meats in only small quantities and these foods can be important sources of nutrients and these foods do not need to be eliminated from the diet.
Although a number of studies have observed an association between an increased intake of trans fats and increased risk of CVD, this increased risk is due, in part, to its LDL-cholesterol-raising effect. Strong and consistent evidence shows that replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats is associated with a reduced risk of CVD events (heart attacks) and CVD-related deaths.
Replacing total fat or saturated fats with carbohydrates is not associated with a reduced risk of CVD.
Within the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the HHS and USDA state, citing information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, that “Mercury is a heavy metal found in the form of methyl mercury in seafood in varying levels. Seafood choices higher in EPA [eicosapentaenoic acid] and DHA [docosahexaenoic acid] but lower in methyl mercury are encouraged. Seafood varieties commonly consumed in the United States that are higher in EPA and DHA and lower in methyl mercury include salmon, anchovies, herring, shad, sardines, Pacific oysters, trout, and Atlantic and Pacific mackerel (not king mackerel, which is high in methyl mercury).” The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that “polyunsaturated fatty acids (polyunsaturated fats) are found in greatest amounts in sunflower, corn, soybean, and cottonseed oils; walnuts; pine nuts; and sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, and flax seeds."
I recommend Xymogen's ActivEssentials with OncoPlex and D3 and Omega MonoPure 1300 EC for all ages to cover the basic nutrient requirements.
1. Among protein foods, __________ provide(s) the most __________.
2. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE regarding trans fatty acids (trans fats)?
3. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA), replacing saturated fats in diet with __________ will reduce risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.
4. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which of the following types of seafood is high in methyl mercury content?
Answer Key:
1. C. Nuts and Seeds; Vitamin E
2. D. All of the above
3. B. Polyunsaturated fats
4. A. King Mackerel
5. C. Corn oil
For complete information, see:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. Accessed January 31, 2017
