B. Recent Studies
1. Saturated Fatty Acids
To discuss the effects of saturated fatty acids on plasma lipid and lipoproteins,
the saturated fatty acids, in agreement with the results of Keys and colleagues [5], fall into three classes: medium chain fatty acids; fatty acids with 12, 14, or 16 carbon
atoms; and stearic acid.
have carefully compared the effects of MCFAs,
mainly capric acid, on plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels. Eighteen physically
healthy men were fed several diets, each for 4 weeks. Diets contained several lowfat
food items to which the experimental fats were added. It was shown that modest
amounts of MCFAs in the diet have comparable effects on the plasma total and LDL
cholesterol and on triacylglycerols concentrations as have carbohydrates. However,
large amounts of MCFAs increased triacylglycerol concentrations. Recent results of
Cater et al. [9] suggested that a mixture of MCFAs slightly decreases LDL cholesterol
concentrations relative to palmitic acid but increases LDL cholesterol relative to oleic
acid (Fig. 2).