A Single High-Fat Meal Increases Risk for Heart Disease

High-fat meals trigger bodily responses that may lead to heart disease, according to a study published in Laboratory Investigation. Researchers compared blood labs and blood cells in ten healthy men before and after each consumed one high-fat milkshake. The milkshake significantly increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acid levels four hours after consumption. Researchers also observed changes in red blood cell structure and increased RBC-bound myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme associated with oxidative stress and arterial plaque destabilization. These findings are similar to those from other studies​ over the years.