Saturated fats

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Saturated fats

Saturated fats are those that become hard at room temperature. They are found mostly in animal-based foods (such as meat, butter, milk, and cheese) and in coconut oil, palm oil, and cocoa butter.

Saturated fats should only be eaten in limited amounts because they harm blood vessels, which increases a person's risk for developing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Saturated fats also affect the levels of cholesterol in the blood and increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Most of a person's fat calories should be from monounsaturated fats (such as from olive oil, peanut oil, avocados, and nuts) or polyunsaturated fats (such as from liquid vegetable oils, corn oil, or soybean oil).

Food labels usually show how many fat calories come from saturated, trans, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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