Seed oils even better than olive oil at reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

A new meta-analysis of more more than 55 large scale studies found that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat from seed oils has the strongest effect in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.  The review led by Dr. Lukas Schwingshackl from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke is published in the Journal of Lipid Research, he explained, “It is well established that replacing saturated fatty acids with either mono or polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”

Previous studies have compared foods rich in saturated fat like butter or lard with foods rich in unsaturated fat like olive oil or sunflower oil.  However these studies have made it difficult to determine which of the many plant-derived oils have the greatest effect. 

The researchers compared the data on the effect of 13 oils and solid fats, safflower oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil, hempseed oil, corn oil, coconut oil, palm oil, soybean oil, butter, beef fat and lard.  Unsurprisingly butter and lard were found to be the worst whilst safflower oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and flaxseed oil were found to be the best for reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 

NOTE:  Meta-analysis studies are gaining ground in health research.  Many scientists and researchers now believe the best way to gain evidence comes from many large independent studies allowing enormous amounts of data through the use of direct and indirect comparisons