When people ate less butter and more plant oils, their overall heart disease risk score — based on good and bad cholesterol — got better.
Scientific Claim
In the Czech population between 1988 and 1992, the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol decreased from 5.01 to 4.66, indicating a reduction in overall cardiovascular risk.
Original Statement
“The ratio of total cholesterol/HDL concentrations significantly decreased from 5.01 to 4.66, documenting a substantial decrease in CHD risk.”
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 data are observational and descriptive; the change is reported accurately without implying causation. The verb 'decreased' is acceptable for describing observed trends.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Rapid Drop in Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in Czech Male Population—What Was Actually behind It?
When the Czech government stopped subsidizing fatty foods, people ate less fat, their bad cholesterol went down, and heart disease deaths dropped—so yes, the cholesterol ratio improvement did mean lower heart risk.