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<BR>Home,Anses,News,Press room,Agenda,Our topics,Food,Animal health and nutrition,Environmental health,Occupational health,Plants,Opinions and publications,Last opinions and reports,Food opinions and reports,Animal health and nutrition opinions and reports,Environmental and occupational health opinions and reports,Plants opinions,Opinions and reports in English,Bulletins and periodicals,Other publications,Subscribe to Anses newsletter,Research and reference,Research program,Laboratories and reference activities, + ,Job opportunities,Public procurement contracts,Our websites,Partners,Extranet / ExpertNet,Kid's area,Legal notice,Contact, ,<BR>In order to prevent the major illnesses potentially linked to eating habits (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer), the most important rule is to balance caloric intake and energy requirements. In addition to avoiding excess caloric intake, AFSSA also recommends that the proportion of fats eaten be between 35 to 40%, a range which most French people generally comply with, although 43% of adults and 34% of children surpass this limit. <BR><BR>French population reference intakes (ANCs) for different types of fatty acids have been established to cover physiological requirements and to prevent certain illnesses. <BR><BR>The French population consumes excessive levels of saturated fatty acids (on average 15% of caloric intake, versus a recommended ANC of under 12%). Saturated fatty acids include lauric, myristic and palmitic acid which are atherogenic when consumed in excess amounts. However, other short and medium-chain saturated fatty acids can have positive effects on health. <BR><BR>Polyunsaturated fatty acids include:<BR><BR>- Alpha-linolenic acid, a precursor of the omega-3 family, and linoleic acid, a precursor of the omega-6 family, which are essential nutrients; however since linoleic acid must not be consumed at the expense of alpha-linolenic acid, AFSSA has recommended increasing the ANC recommendation for this nutrient. <BR><BR><BR>- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. AFSSA has set the ANC for EPA for preventing cardiovascular disease. It has also increased the ANC for DHA, essential to cerebral development and function. <BR><BR><BR>AFSSA therefore recommends a fat intake that is neither too low, nor too high! <BR><BR>The "neither too low" recommendation stems from the fact that lipids have beneficial effects on health provided that a variety of both plant- and animal-based fats are included in the diet in order to balance intake of the various fatty acids. Aside from palm oil (very high in palmitic acid and found in many manufactured food products), consumption of a variety of vegetable oils is recommended (canola/rapeseed oil and walnut oil are the primary sources of alpha-linolenic acid). Fish should be eaten twice a week, including oily fish which it is virtually the only source of DHA and EPA. <BR><BR><BR>The above information will make it possible to fine-tune the guidelines and objectives of the French National Programme for Nutrition and Health (PNNS). They will also enable AFSSA to carefully analyse the composition of the main foods containing fatty acids and to formulate recommendations for consumption for the general population based on this data and additional scientific research. <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Find out more<BR><BR>> Opinion of 1st March 2010 on the update of French population reference intakes (ANCs) for fatty acids<BR>Re-evaluation of French population reference intakes (ANC) for lipids: neither to low nor too high<BR>16 March 2010<BR>News<BR>Highlighted news,Archives,-,Archives of AFSSET news,Archives of AFSSA news,<A HREF='PM9100H6I0.htm'>Open News</A>
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In order to prevent the major illnesses potentially linked to eating habits (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer), the most important rule is to balance caloric intake and energy requirements. In addition to avoiding excess caloric intake, AFSSA also recommends that the proportion of fats eaten be between 35 to 40%, a range which most French people generally comply with, although 43% of adults and 34% of children surpass this limit.
French population reference intakes (ANCs) for different types of fatty acids have been established to cover physiological requirements and to prevent certain illnesses.
The French population consumes excessive levels of saturated fatty acids (on average 15% of caloric intake, versus a recommended ANC of under 12%). Saturated fatty acids include lauric, myristic and palmitic acid which are atherogenic when consumed in excess amounts. However, other short and medium-chain saturated fatty acids can have positive effects on health.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids include:
- Alpha-linolenic acid, a precursor of the omega-3 family, and linoleic acid, a precursor of the omega-6 family, which are essential nutrients; however since linoleic acid must not be consumed at the expense of alpha-linolenic acid, AFSSA has recommended increasing the ANC recommendation for this nutrient.
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. AFSSA has set the ANC for EPA for preventing cardiovascular disease. It has also increased the ANC for DHA, essential to cerebral development and function.
AFSSA therefore recommends a fat intake that is neither too low, nor too high!
The "neither too low" recommendation stems from the fact that lipids have beneficial effects on health provided that a variety of both plant- and animal-based fats are included in the diet in order to balance intake of the various fatty acids. Aside from palm oil (very high in palmitic acid and found in many manufactured food products), consumption of a variety of vegetable oils is recommended (canola/rapeseed oil and walnut oil are the primary sources of alpha-linolenic acid). Fish should be eaten twice a week, including oily fish which it is virtually the only source of DHA and EPA.
The above information will make it possible to fine-tune the guidelines and objectives of the French National Programme for Nutrition and Health (PNNS). They will also enable AFSSA to carefully analyse the composition of the main foods containing fatty acids and to formulate recommendations for consumption for the general population based on this data and additional scientific research.
Find out more > Opinion of 1st March 2010 on the update of French population reference intakes (ANCs) for fatty acids
Re-evaluation of French population reference intakes (ANC) for lipids: neither to low nor too high 16 March 2010
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