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Low-Fat Diets

Meaning

Low-fat diets are a nutritional approach characterized by a significant restriction in the consumption of dietary fats, often aiming for less than 30% of total caloric intake from fat. This dietary pattern was historically promoted for cardiovascular health and weight management, based on the rationale that fat is calorically dense and directly contributes to body fat storage. While this strategy can be effective for weight loss when it reduces overall caloric intake, extreme restriction can negatively impact the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and the production of steroid hormones. Clinicians recognize the importance of differentiating between healthy, unsaturated fats and less desirable saturated or trans fats.