LAURIC AND PALMITIC ACID-ENRICHED DIETS HAVE MINIMAL IMPACT ON SERUM-LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS AND GLUCOSE-METABOLISM IN HEALTHY-YOUNG WOMEN

Fifteen healthy young women were fed diets enriched to 4% of energy wi th either palmitic acid (as palm oil) or lauric acid (as coconut oil). A randomized crossover study design was used so that subjects followe d the two experimental diets for 4 wk, both preceded by consumption of a baseline diet for 2 wk. The experimental diets differed only with r espect to the fatty acid composition: there was a substitution of 4% o f energy intake with palmitic acid or lauric acid in the experimental diets for 4% of energy as monoenes in the baseline diet. There were no differences in the concentration of serum total or lipoprotein lipids , apolipoproteins A-I and B, and lipoprotein (a) or plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity between the experimental diet periods . The VLDL cholesterol concentration (0.38 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.05 mmol/L, means +/- SEM, P = 0.01] and plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity [78 +/- 5 vs. 88 +/- 6 mu mol/(h . L), P = 0.007) we re greater at the end of the lauric acid diet period than at the end o f the preceding baseline diet period. No differences were found in glu cose effectiveness, insulin sensitivity index or insulin secretion mea sured by the intravenous glucose tolerance test (Minimal Model method) . In conclusion, in terms of serum lipids, lipoproteins, and glucose m etabolism, palmitic acid was equal to lauric acid at 4% of total energ y intake exchange, and both of these saturated fatty acids were compar able to a 4% of total energy intake exchange with monoenes in healthy young women.