Effects of fats high in stearic acid on lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in men

Article Abstract:

Several studies have shown that saturated fat in the diet increases the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Because of the link between high blood cholesterol and heart disease, it is recommended that the amount of saturated fat consumed in the diet be reduced. It is estimated that roughly one third of the saturated fat in the American diet comes from red meat, another third from dairy products and the remaining third from other dietary sources. Although several different saturated fats have been shown to raise blood cholesterol, stearic acid has been reported not to increase blood cholesterol levels even though it is a saturated fatty acid. A study was performed to evaluate the effects of two fats containing stearic acid, beef fat (tallow) and cocoa butter, and tow other fats, butter fat and olive oil, on blood cholesterol levels. The study included 10 middle-aged men between the ages of 51 and 72. The study was divided into four separate diet periods, each three weeks long. During each diet period the subjects followed a diet containing 40 percent fat (from either tallow, cocoa butter, butter fat or olive oil), 40 percent carbohydrate and 20 percent protein. The butter fat diet increased the amount of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood, while the other three fats lowered blood LDL cholesterol. The olive oil diet produced the greatest decrease in LDL cholesterol followed by the cocoa butter diet and the beef tallow diet. Ninety to 94 percent of the stearic acid in the different fats was absorbed from the diet into the body. The results of this study indicate that stearic acid is absorbed from the diet into the body, but it does not raise blood cholesterol levels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Measurement, Physiological aspects, Dietary fat, Blood cholesterol, Lipoproteins, Blood lipoproteins, Stearic acid

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Hypercholesterolemia in elderly persons: resolving the treatment dilemma

Article Abstract:

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, elevated blood cholesterol levels, is highest among persons over the age of 60 years, and contributes to the increased incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the elderly. With the growing use of methods to detect and treat hypercholesterolemia, rational approaches are needed to manage elevated blood cholesterol levels in the elderly. Recent studies show that high total cholesterol and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, particularly LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), may serve as indicators of risk for CHD in patients over 60 years. The risks and benefits of cholesterol-lowering agents, the patient's health, and presence of other risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, must be considered when selecting patients for cholesterol-lowering therapy. Treatment of elevated cholesterol levels consists initially of diet modification for at least six months, followed by drug therapy in selected patients, but only after dietary changes are achieved. Drug therapy should be avoided when LDL-C levels are between 3.40 and 4.10 millimoles per liter (mmol per L). The use of specific cholesterol-lowering agents such as low-dose sequestrants, lovastatin, and nicotinic acid is dependent on LDL-cholesterol levels. Drug therapy may not be rational in patients with extremely advanced age, debilitating joint disease, bone loss, severe CHD, cancer, and decreased intellectual awareness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Diet therapy

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Treatment of hypercholesterolemia in the elderly

Article Abstract:

Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of substances such as lipids and the overgrowth of cells within the arteries. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death among the elderly and is caused by exposure to risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), which affects the major blood vessels supplying the heart. Although the risk of developing hypercholesterolemia (increased blood cholesterol levels) decreases with advancing age, the contribution of hypercholesterolemia to CHD increases with age. The influence of hypercholesterolemia on the development of CHD may be masked by other risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which also increase with age. Recommendations by the National Cholesterol Education Program for screening total cholesterol levels every five years should be extended to persons through 75 years of age. Studies have shown that even short-term treatment with cholesterol-lowering agents may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Elderly patients with high triglyceride levels and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels are particularly at risk for developing CHD. Other factors that influence the development of CHD include sex, blood pressure, blood glucose, weight greater than 130 percent of ideal weight, left ventricle enlargement, and abnormal results of exercise tests. Hypercholesterolemia treatment involves modification of diet, weight reduction, and the use of lipid-lowering medications. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Atherosclerosis, editorial

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