Research
Macro partitioning
Replacing saturated fatty acids (SFA) with polyunsaturated (PUFA) or monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) reduces serum HDL-C, whereas replacing carbohydrates with these fatty acids increases HDL-C.
If you want to raise your HDL-C through diet, replacing carbohydrates (especially refined carbs) with unsaturated fats (like olive oil or nuts) is more effective than replacing saturated fats (like butter) with those same unsaturated fats. However, remember that HDL-C is just a number; the functional quality of your HDL particles is what ultimately matters for heart health.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Meta-analyses of intervention studies have provided strong evidence to show that the iso-energetic replacement of SFA with PUFA, MUFA and carbohydrate decreases HDL-C... In contrast, the iso-energetic replacement of carbohydrate with all dietary fatty acids, other than trans fatty acids, tends to raise HDL-C.
Why this rating
Based on meta-analyses of intervention studies cited in the text.
Source
HDL and Lifestyle Interventions
Joan Carles Escolà‐Gil et al. · Handbook of experimental pharmacology · 2014
narrative_reviewCited 29×
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