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The effect of replacing dietary saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat on plasma lipids in free-living young adults

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 55, pages 908–915 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To examine, in free-living adults eating self-selected diets, the effects on plasma cholesterol of substituting saturated fat rich foods with either n-6 polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat rich foods while at the same time adhering to a total fat intake of 30–33% of dietary energy.

Design: Two randomised crossover trials.

Setting: General community.

Subjects: Volunteer sample of healthy free-living nutrition students at the University of Otago. Trial I, n=29; and trial II, n=42.

Interventions: In trials I and II participants were asked to follow for 2½ weeks a diet high in saturated fat yet with a total fat content that conformed to nutrition recommendations (30–33% energy). During the 2 1/2 week comparison diet, saturated fat rich foods were replaced with foods rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fats (trial I) whereas in trial II the replacement foods were rich in monounsaturated fats. Participants were asked to maintain a total fat intake of 30–33% of energy on all diets.

Main outcome measures: Energy and nutrient intakes, plasma triglyceride fatty acids, and plasma cholesterol.

Results: When replacing saturated fat with either n-6 polyunsaturated fat or monounsaturated fat, total fat intakes decreased by 2.9% energy and 5.1% energy, respectively. Replacing saturated fat with n-6 polyunsaturated fat (trial I) lowered plasma total cholesterol by 19% [from 4.87 (0.88) to 3.94 (0.92) mmol/l, mean (s.d.)], low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 22% [from 2.87 (0.75) to 2.24 (0.67) mmol/l], and high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 14% [from 1.39 (0.36) to 1.19 (0.34) mmol/l], whereas replacing saturated fat with monounsaturated fat (trial II) decreased total cholesterol by 12%, low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 15%, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 4%, respectively. The change in the ratio of total to high density lipoprotein cholesterol was similar during trial I and trial II.

Conclusions: Young adults are very responsive to dietary-induced changes in plasma cholesterol even when an isocaloric replacement of saturated fat with n-6 polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat is not achieved. Replacing saturated fat with either n-6 polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat is equally efficacious at reducing the total to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio.

Sponsorship: University of Otago, Meadow Lea Ltd.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 908–915

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment, and Mrs Margaret Waldron for expert venipuncture and help with participants.

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Author notes

  1. CM Skeaff: Guarantor: Dr CM Skeaff.

  2. L Hodson, CM Skeaff and W-AH Chisholm: Contributors: LH and CMS developed the project and wrote the manuscript. LH conducted the study. CMS obtained funding for the project. W-AHC helped prepare dietary guidelines.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    L Hodson, CM Skeaff & W-AH Chisholm

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  1. L Hodson
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Correspondence to CM Skeaff.

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Hodson, L., Skeaff, C. & Chisholm, WA. The effect of replacing dietary saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat on plasma lipids in free-living young adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 908–915 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601234

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