Why 2 People Cutting Back on Butter and Cheese Could Have Different Results

A large review found that reducing saturated fat lowered heart risks mainly for people already at high risk—and that what replaces it matters.

Alena Vatorina/Shutterstock

Picture two people getting the same advice: “Cut back on butter and cheese.”

One has already had a heart attack, and the other is in his 40s, walks daily, and has normal blood pressure and cholesterol. New research suggests that those two people won’t get the same return on that dietary effort.