Macro partitioning
Higher plasma concentrations of even-chain saturated fatty acids (specifically stearic and palmitic acid) are positively associated with an increased risk of incident coronary heart disease, whereas higher plasma concentrations of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (specifically linoleic acid) are inversely associated with CHD risk.
Focus on the quality of your fats rather than just total fat intake. High levels of saturated fats (like stearic and palmitic acid found in animal products) are linked to higher heart disease risk, while omega-6 polyunsaturated fats (like linoleic acid found in vegetable oils and nuts) are linked to lower risk. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats appears to be a beneficial strategy for heart health.
In this study, plasma concentrations of even chain saturated PFA were found to be positively and omega-6 polyunsaturated PFA inversely related to subsequent coronary heart disease risk.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (EPIC-Norfolk, N=25,639) with objective biomarker measurement (gas chromatography) and long follow-up (13 years), though observational design limits causal inference.
Source
Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acid Concentration and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in Men and Women: The EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Study
Kay‐Tee Khaw et al. · PLoS Medicine · 2012
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