DIETARY FATTY-ACIDS IN ATHERO-THROMBOGENESIS - INFLUENCE OF PALM OIL INGESTION

Dietary experiments, performed in metabolic wards, gave rise to predic tive regression equations relating changes of plasma cholesterol conce ntration to the intake of fatty acids of the diet. It has been establi shed that polyunsaturated fatty acids diminish and most saturated fatt y acids increase plasma cholesterol concentration. This information le d to expect that dietary use of palm oil may induce an unfavorable pla sma lipoprotein profile. This has not been the case as shown in variou s dietary experiments. The reasons for this discrepancy is discussed. The influence of palm oil enriched diets on prothrombotic variables sh ow that platelets are not affected in their function during prolonged dietary intervention. It is important to continue research on the effe cts of palm oil based diet on plasma fibrinogen, factor VII. There is still discordant information in this field.