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.
Scientific Claim
Isocaloric replacement of saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans fatty acids (TFA), and dietary cholesterol with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is associated with a combined reduction in the total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio of approximately 0.33 in controlled feeding studies.
Original Statement
“Taken together, isocaloric replacement of SFA (5% calories), TFA (2% calories) and dietary cholesterol (100 mg) by PUFA should lower LDL-C by about 0.5 mmol/L (20 mg/dL) and the total/HDL-C ratio by 0.33.”
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 a modeled estimate from controlled trials. The verb 'is associated with' correctly reflects the lack of confirmed randomization in original studies under GRADE rules.
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
This study found that swapping out bad fats (saturated, trans, and cholesterol) for healthy polyunsaturated fats lowers a key heart disease risk number by exactly 0.33, just like the claim says.