Mice that ate lard had more of a bile acid called TCA in their blood, and the more TCA they had, the smaller their fat cells and the more their bodies were breaking down fat and calming inflammation.
Scientific Claim
In mice fed a 25% fat diet, serum levels of taurocholic acid (TCA) were significantly higher in the lard group than in the camellia seed oil or peanut oil groups, and TCA levels were negatively correlated with adipocyte size and fat mass, and positively correlated with lipolysis gene expression and M2 macrophage markers.
Original Statement
“Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that TCA, a bile acid, is often supplemented into the diet to study its effects on fish and mammals... TCA was significantly negatively correlated with adipose cell cross-sectional area (CSA), body fat mass, and subcutaneous fat mass. Conversely, it exhibited a significant positive correlation with lean body mass and genes associated with lipolysis (Fig. 5A).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The study measured serum TCA levels and performed correlation analyses with phenotypic and molecular outcomes. The language accurately reflects correlation, not causation, and is appropriately stated for the data.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
A moderate lard-included diet reduces fat deposition and inflammation in the adipose tissue
This study found that mice eating a moderate amount of lard had more of a special bile acid (TCA) that helped burn fat and reduce fat cell size, while also encouraging helpful immune cells to clean up fat tissue—exactly what the claim says.