c. Palmitic Acid. Replacing palmitic acid in the diet for carbohydrates lowers
LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations.
However, if the intake of palmitic acid is
decreased at the expense of oleic acid, LDL cholesterol concentrations decrease,
whereas HDL cholesterol is not affected [10–12] (Figs. 2–5). Recently, it has been
postulated that in normolipidemic, nonobese subjects palmitic acid may not always
be a cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acid [14,15], provided that linoleic acid intake
contributes at least 6–7% of daily energy intake and daily dietary cholesterol intake
is less than 300 mg. Of course, these findings will be of great practical significance
if it proves to be correct that under certain conditions palmitic acid can be exchanged
for oleic acid without affecting LDL cholesterol levels. However, these studies
[14,15] await confirmation.