Journal Name:
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Article Title:
Similar serum lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in healthy subjects on diets enriched with rapeseed and with sunflower oil
Date Written:
1994
Volume:
48
Number:
Page:
128
Author(s):
Nydahl, M.; Gustafsson, I.; �hrvall, M.; Vessby, B.
Article:
For several years, substituting dietary saturated fat (SFA) with polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) was considered to be the best option in lowering elevated concentrations of serum lipids, and preventing coronary heart disease (CHD). More recent studies have shown that replacing dietary SFA with monounsaturated fat (MUFA) also has positive effects on serum lipoprotein and fatty acid profiles. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of canola oil (rich in MUFAs and ALA) and sunflower oil (rich in PUFAs) enriched diets on the lipoprotein and fatty acid profiles in healthy adults.
One hundred and one healthy men (n=37) and women (n=64) participated in this double blind cross-over design consisting of two 3-week dietary treatment periods in which diets were enriched with either canola oil or sunflower oil. Dietary treatment periods were separated by a 2-3 week washout period. Subjects started with either of the two diets in randomized order. All ordinarily used margarines, oils, and table margarines were exchanged for the test products during the study periods. The test products were prepared mainly from canola oil (CO) during one treatment period, and mainly from sunflower oil (SO) during the other. All main meals were consumed at the school, and neither the kitchen staff, participants, or study leaders were informed of which oil was being consumed during the treatment periods. The total amounts of fat and other nutrients were the same during both dietary periods. Fasting blood samples were obtained following an overnight fast at baseline, and at the end of each dietary treatment period for analysis of blood lipoprotein and fatty acid profiles.
Serum cholesterol (-4%), LDL-C (-5 to -7%) and apolipoprotein B (-5%) concentrations decreased significantly, and to the same extent, in both treatment periods. Serum TG, HDL-C, apolipoprotein -A1, and lipoprotein(a) remained virtually unchanged in either treatment group. The content of LA in serum phospholipids was increased following the SO enriched diet, while concentrations of oleic acid, ALA, and EPA were increased following the CO enriched diet.
Substitution of MUFAs and PUFAs for SFAs, without any additional dietary changes, results in a significant improvement in lipoprotein profiles of healthy adults with both CO and SO being equally effective. The data indicate that humans have capacity to elongate and desaturate ALA to EPA in vivo. CO can be recommended as an alternative for fats rich in SFA, and also oils rich in LA for CVD reduction., , ,
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