Serum Cholesterol Independent of Highly Saturated Dietary Fats under special Conditions

Abstract

A study was made of serum total cholesterol and the cholesterol content of the α- and β-lipoprotein fractions as separated by paper electrophoresis in draftees during a dietary experiment. The fat content of the diet of one group was supplemented with butterfat.

A highly significant decrease in serum total cholesterol and β-lipoprotein cholesterol was noted during the first two weeks. The dietary study revealed that the usual army diet contained about 30 per cent of fat compared with over 40 per cent in the high-fat diet, sthe fatty acid composition being much more “cholesterogenic” for the extra fat group. The fall in cholesterol during the first two weeks was the same, however, irrespective of whether the group received the usual army diet or a diet supplemented with highly saturated fat.

The factors possibly responsible for this phenomenon, which, in the light of previous dietary studies, is unexpected have been discussed. It is not possible, on the basis on the factors studied, to explah the observed decrease in serum cholesterol level. This study reveals that there must be a factor(s) strong enough to annul the effect of highly saturated dietary fats in raising serum cholesterol.