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Sixth: Regular physical activity was not addressed in the studies. Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, helps to control weight and improve cardiovascular health.
Still, there are several messages that we can take away from these studies:
*If you are a woman between the ages of 50 and 79, lowering total fat a little bit will probably not lower your risk of heart disease, breast, or colon cancer.
*Fat does matter, but the quantity and type of fats are what you need to watch. Lower saturated and trans fats as much as you can, mainly by eliminating processed foods and switching to leaner and nonfat versions of animal products (with the exception of fatty fish). Emphasize sources of monounsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado and nuts) and omega-3 fats (fatty fish, walnuts and flax seeds). Remember that fat has more than twice as many calories per gram as protein and carbohydrates, so if you are trying to lose weight, controlling fat calories can help.
*Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can so you may reap their antioxidant, fiber, and low-calorie benefits. This study and other studies have confirmed that they work to help prevent heart disease.
*Good health and poor health develop over a lifetime, so making healthy lifestyle changes earlier in life may help lower health risks later in life. However, if you are a post-menopausal woman or a man over 50, don't think that making changes now will not help. If you smoke, are overweight, sedentary, or eat a diet high in unhealthy fats, removing unhealthful practices and replacing them with healthier habits will go a long way towards helping to prevent future diseases.
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