‘Fats: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly’ – Café Science Extra on 12th November

Published On Tue 4 Nov 2014 by Grant Hill

The good, bad and ugly sides of fats will be laid out by University of Dundee PhD student Francesca Nardi at the next Café Science Extra event.

The talk takes place at Dundee Science Centre at 6pm on Wednesday, 12th November and will see Francesca discuss the need to tackle the global obesity epidemic while acknowledging that fat is an essential component of our diet which fulfils a wide range of biological functions.

She will explain the difference between good and bad fats and how they act as a source of energy but also affect insulin-sensitive target tissues, like skeletal muscle, in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Francesca said, “It is now widely acknowledged that increased consumption of a Western-type high calorie diet, along with a sedentary lifestyle, has contributed to a marked increase in the global prevalence of obesity.

“In particular, eating foods which are high in fat can cause excessive weight gain and subsequently increase the risk of developing serious obesity-related health problems, such as the failure to maintain proper blood glucose control associated with type 2 diabetes.

“Consequently, a reduction in fat intake is commonly perceived as a means to prevent the onset of such metabolic disorders. However, it is not just the amount of fat consumed which is crucial to maintaining metabolic health but also the particular type.

“Indeed, the two main types of fat present in most foods are saturated fats, also known as “bad fat”, and unsaturated fats, which are often referred to as “good fat”. Therefore, choosing the right types of dietary fat to consume can be one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of developing metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.”

Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted almost 6000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally.

Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre.

‘Fats: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly’ takes place at Infusion coffee shop, Dundee Science Centre, at 6pm on Wednesday, 12th November. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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