Comparison of PO diets with diets rich in stearic acid , monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFAs ) , and polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) showed significantly higher TC , LDL cholesterol , apolipoprotein B , HDL cholesterol , and apolipoprotein A-I , whereas most of the same biomarkers were significantly lower when compared with diets rich in myristic/lauric acid .
Comparison of PO-rich diets with diets rich in trans fatty acids showed significantly higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I and significantly lower apolipoprotein B , triacylglycerols , and TC/HDL cholesterol .
Stratified and meta-regression analyses showed that the higher concentrations of TC and LDL cholesterol , when PO was substituted for MUFAs and PUFAs , were not significant in young people and in subjects with diets with a lower percentage of energy from fat .
Both favorable and unfavorable changes in CHD/CVD risk markers occurred when PO was substituted for the primary dietary fats , whereas only favorable changes occurred when PO was substituted for trans fatty acids .
BACKGROUND Palm oil ( PO ) may be an unhealthy fat because of its high saturated fatty acid content .
OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the effect of substituting PO for other primary dietary fats on blood lipid-related markers of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) .
Comparison of a Carbohydrate-Rich Diet and Diets Rich in Stearic or Palmitic Acid in NIDDM Patients: Effects on lipids, glycemic control, and diurnal blood pressure
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects on lipid levels , glycemic control , and diurnal blood pressure of two diets rich in one of the two quantitatively most important saturated fatty acids , stearic and palmitic acid , with a carbohydrate-rich diet in NIDDM patients . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 15 NIDDM patients participated in a r and omized crossover study with three 3-week diet interventions separated by 2-week washout periods . Patients started with a diet rich in stearic acid ( 44 E% [ percent of total energy ] fat [ 13 E% stearic acid ] , 40 E% carbohydrate , 15 E% protein ) , palmitic acid ( 45 E% fat [ 16 E% palmitic acid ] , 40 E% carbohydrate , 15 E% protein ) , or carbohydrate ( 29 E% fat , 51 E% carbohydrate , and 18 E% protein ) , then were shifted to the other two diets in a r and omized block design . At the start and end of each intervention period , fasting blood sample s were drawn for analysis of lipids and blood glucose . In addition , diurnal blood pressure was measured . RESULTS At the end of the 3-week interventions , total cholesterol was significantly higher after the palmitic acid-rich diet than after the stearic acid-rich or carbohydrate-rich diets ( 5.3 ± 1.3 vs. 5.0 ± 1.2 and 4.9 ± 1.2 mmol/l , respectively ; P = 0.03 ) . No significant differences in triglyceride , LDL , or HDL cholesterol levels were seen after the three intervention diets . No difference in effects between the diet periods were seen for fructosamine , HbA1c , fasting blood glucose , or diurnal blood pressure . CONCLUSIONS For the first time , it has been demonstrated that a diet rich in palmitic acid was not as effective in lowering cholesterol levels  as carbohydrate-rich and stearic acid-rich diets in NIDDM patients . No deleterious effects were seen on diurnal blood pressure , triglyceride levels , and glycemic control . Development of foods containing stearic acid rather than the more atherogenic saturated fatty acids may allow a wider choice of acceptable foods to NIDDM patients
Comparison of PO diets with diets rich in stearic acid , monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFAs ) , and polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) showed significantly higher TC , LDL cholesterol , apolipoprotein B , HDL cholesterol , and apolipoprotein A-I , whereas most of the same biomarkers were significantly lower when compared with diets rich in myristic/lauric acid .
Comparison of PO-rich diets with diets rich in trans fatty acids showed significantly higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I and significantly lower apolipoprotein B , triacylglycerols , and TC/HDL cholesterol .
Stratified and meta-regression analyses showed that the higher concentrations of TC and LDL cholesterol , when PO was substituted for MUFAs and PUFAs , were not significant in young people and in subjects with diets with a lower percentage of energy from fat .
Both favorable and unfavorable changes in CHD/CVD risk markers occurred when PO was substituted for the primary dietary fats , whereas only favorable changes occurred when PO was substituted for trans fatty acids .
BACKGROUND Palm oil ( PO ) may be an unhealthy fat because of its high saturated fatty acid content .
OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the effect of substituting PO for other primary dietary fats on blood lipid-related markers of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) .