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

Scientific Claim

In controlled feeding settings, the lipid-lowering effect of replacing saturated fatty acids (SFA) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is greater than that of 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

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The phrase 'had a much greater effect' implies causation and direct comparison of causal impact, but original studies lack confirmed randomization. Under GRADE, only association can be claimed.

More Accurate Statement

“In controlled feeding settings, isocaloric replacement of saturated fatty acids (SFA) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is associated with a greater reduction in LDL-C and total/LDL-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

Replacing bad fats like butter with healthier fats like fish or vegetable oils lowers bad cholesterol more than just removing artificial 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

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.

91%

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

88%

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.

86%

Swapping butter for olive oil doesn’t seem to change bad cholesterol levels in people eating strictly controlled diets.

83%

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.

80%