Effect of a stearic acid-rich, structured triacylglycerol on plasma lipid concentrations

Background: Structured lipids are being incorporated into foods to reduce t heir energy value. One such lipid is rich in stearic acid. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effects on plasma lipids of a stearic acid-rich triacylglycerol and a fat rich in palmitic a cid in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Design: Fifteen subjects with an average plasma cholesterol concentration o f 6.13 +/- 0.80 mmol/L initially ate a low-fat diet for 2 wk (run-in period ), followed in random order and blinded fashion by 2 high-fat diets (for 5 wk each) containing foods derived from margarines rich either in palmitic a cid or in the structured, stearic acid-rich triacylglycerol. Results: Plasma cholesterol concentrations with the low-fat, the stearic ac id-rich, and the palmitic acid-rich diets were not significantly different (5.35 +/- 0.83, 5.41 +/- 0.78, and 5.52 +/- 0.68 mmol/L, respectively) but were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those measured during the habitua l diet period (ie, 2 wk before the study began). Neither HDL cholesterol no r plasma triacylglycerol differed significantly among the 3 study diets. Conclusion: A similar increase in the intake of stearic and palmitic acids (differing by approximate to 5% of total energy) to ensure a high fat intak e resulted in plasma total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations that did not differ significantly from concentrations measured during a period of low-fa t intake.