Cutting out butter and replacing it with vegetable oil lowers bad cholesterol more than just removing artificial trans fats from your diet.

Scientific Claim

Replacement of saturated fatty acids (SFA) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has a greater effect on lowering LDL-C and the total/HDL-C ratio than eliminating trans fatty acids (TFA) alone.

Original Statement

“By contrast, isocaloric replacement of 5% of calories as SFA by PUFA had a much greater effect on both LDL-C and on the total/LDL-C ratio than the elimination of TFA.”

From study:Abstract 18256: Importance of Controlling Dietary Intake of Saturated Fat for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Lessons From the Metabolic Ward Studies

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim is based on quantitative comparisons from controlled trials, but the original studies lack confirmed randomization. Therefore, 'has a greater effect' implies causation and must be softened to 'is associated with a greater reduction'.

More Accurate Statement

“Isocaloric replacement of saturated fatty acids (SFA) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is associated with a greater reduction in LDL-C and the total/HDL-C ratio than the elimination of trans fatty acids (TFA) alone.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Abstract 18256: Importance of Controlling Dietary Intake of Saturated Fat for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Lessons From the Metabolic Ward Studies

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Human

Cutting out saturated fats and replacing them with healthy unsaturated fats lowers bad cholesterol more than just removing trans fats alone.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Abstract 18256: Importance of Controlling Dietary Intake of Saturated Fat for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Lessons From the Metabolic Ward Studies

Score: 54

DOI: 10.1161/circ.124.suppl_21.a18256

Similar Assertions

In a lab diet setting, swapping butter for vegetable oil lowers cholesterol more than just removing artificial trans fats.

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When you replace bad fats and cholesterol in your diet with healthy oils, your overall cholesterol balance improves by about 0.33 points on the ratio scale.

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Focusing on cutting butter and red meat may help lower cholesterol more than just removing fried foods with trans fats.

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When you swap out 5% of the fat in your diet from butter or meat to oils like sunflower or fish oil, your 'bad' cholesterol goes down by about 20 mg/dL.

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Swapping 2% of your diet’s bad fats (trans fats) for healthy oils like soybean or corn oil lowers your cholesterol ratio more than swapping them for bread or pasta.

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