Mice that ate olive oil and nuts instead of butter had less cholesterol and fat in their blood, which might help keep their arteries from getting clogged.

Scientific Claim

In male Ldlr–/– mice, a diet enriched with extra-virgin olive oil and nuts (EVOND) was associated with a 30–40% reduction in plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to a Western diet high in milkfat, indicating that unsaturated fat substitution lowers circulating lipids in this hyperlipidemic model.

Original Statement

“Total plasma cholesterol and TG levels were higher among mice on WD and EVOND than on ND, but were significantly lower in mice on EVOND than on WD (Figure 1C).”

From study:Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice.

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 study design allows for comparison of lipid levels between two diet groups, but without randomization or blinding, causation cannot be confirmed. 'Associated with' is the correct verb strength.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice.

Cohort Study

Animal

2020 Jan

This study found that when mice with high cholesterol ate a diet with more olive oil and nuts instead of butter and fatty meats, their blood fat levels dropped, showing that swapping bad fats for good ones helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Replacing Saturated Fat With Unsaturated Fat in Western Diet Reduces Foamy Monocytes and Atherosclerosis in Male Ldlr-/- Mice.

Score: 15

DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.119.313078

Similar Assertions

Mice eating olive oil and nuts had more of the good fats (like olive oil and nuts) and less of the bad fats (like butter) in their blood than mice eating a typical fatty diet.

87%

When mice with a genetic predisposition to clogged arteries ate a diet with olive oil and nuts instead of butter and animal fat, their artery plaques got smaller.

84%

The plaques in mice eating olive oil and nuts had fewer inflammatory immune cells inside them than plaques in mice eating a fatty diet.

82%

When immune cells from mice eating olive oil and nuts were tested in a dish, they absorbed less of the bad cholesterol that clogs arteries than cells from mice eating butter.

81%

The immune cells in mice eating olive oil and nuts had fewer 'danger signals' on their surface than those eating a fatty Western diet, making them less likely to trigger inflammation.

75%