Macro partitioning
Replacing palm oil (high in saturated palmitic acid) with soybean oil (higher in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) in a population's cooking oil supply significantly reduces serum total cholesterol and improves the overall lipid profile.
If you cook with palm oil or shortenings high in saturated fats, consider switching to oils higher in unsaturated fats, such as soybean, canola, or olive oil. This simple swap can help lower your total cholesterol levels and improve your overall cardiovascular risk profile.
A pronounced improvement in the population lipid profile in Mauritius was probably related to a change in the saturated fat content of a widely used cooking oil... In 1987 most Mauritians used 'ration oil'... comprised predominantly palm oil... After the baseline survey, the Mauritian Ministry of Health ordered a change in the formulation of the ration oil to almost 100% soybean oil. This change may have had an important effect on fatty acid intake and serum lipid concentrations.
Why this rating
High-quality population-level observational data with strong statistical significance (P<0.001) and external quality assurance, though lacking a randomized control group (pre-post design).
Source
Changes in population cholesterol concentrations and other cardiovascular risk factor levels after five years of the non-communicable disease intervention programme in Mauritius
Gary K. Dowse et al. · BMJ · 1995
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