HOME
Study finds saturated fat increases good cholesterol and energy
Mirmiran P, Ramezankhani A, Azizi F. Combined effects of saturated fat and cholesterol intakes on serum lipids: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Nutrition. 2009 Jan 2. [Published online ahead of print]
Obesity Research Center, Research Institute of Endocrine Sciences, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the combined effect of saturated fat and cholesterol intake on serum lipids among Tehranian adults.
METHODS: In 443 subjects >/=18 y, dietary intake was assessed. Height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated. Serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were calculated. Cholesterol intakes >/=300 mg/d and saturated fat intakes >/=7% of total energy were defined as high intakes. Individuals were categorized into four groups based on cholesterol and saturated fat intakes.
RESULTS: Subjects' mean age was 40.1 +/- 14.6 y; those in whom cholesterol and saturated fat intake was normal had significantly less energy and fat intake than those with high cholesterol and saturated fat intakes (P < 0.01). Saturated fat intake had a significant effect on serum total and HDL-C levels. Subjects with a normal saturated fat intake had significantly less serum total and HDL-C than those who had high saturated fat intake (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, the main effect of cholesterol intake on HDL-C was significant (P = 0.05). Mean serum HDL-C was lower in subjects who had normal cholesterol intake than in those with high cholesterol intake.
CONCLUSION: These results show that cholesterol and saturated fat intakes have no combined effect on serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, whereas cholesterol intake per se affects serum HDL-C level.
COMMENT:
As the UK Food Standards Agency and the self-styled Fat Panel have mounted an aggressive campaign to stop us eating saturated fats, yet another study shows that eating such a diet is actually beneficial.Not that it will influence the Fatheads who populated both organisations.
There are hundreds of studies on saturated fat and cholesterol levels. I can find many, like the one above to support my argument.
But no matter how many I find, I will never convince them. Nothing can. They will not, indeed, cannot it seems, change their minds.
Last updated 31 March 2009
Related Articles
