Historical Event
Date:
March 1, 1953
Short Description:
Tweet:
Reddit:
Institute for Metabolic Research discovers that replacing animal fats with vegetable fats dramatically lowers total cholesterol.
Title:
Book:
Person:
Effect upon Serum Cholesterol and Phospholipids of Diets Containing Large Amounts of Vegetable Fat
URL:
Important Text:
"At the Institute for Metabolic Research in Oakland, California, for instance, researchers first discovered in 1952 that replacing animal fats with vegetable fats would dramatically lower total cholesterol."
​
A later study in a patient maintained for a prolonged period of time on diets in which vegetable and animal fat were ‘alternated in calorically equivalent amounts for specific periods, revealed findings comparable with the preceding, that is, a fall in cholesterol and phospholipids on the vegetable fat intake, and a rise to average levels on formula diets in which the fat was entirely of animal origin. During a portion of this study the fat was derived entirely from egg yolk in an amount equivalent to 36 egg yolks daily. Normal hut not supernormal levels of cholesterol occurred during the egg yolk feeding.
​
SUMMARY The use of formula diets containing large amounts of vegetable fat has resulted consistently in a major fall in serum cholesterol and in phospholipids. Whatever the meaning of this observation, it is apparent that high dietary fat per se does not result in elevation of serum cholesterol.
Topics: (click image to open)
Cholesterol | Cholesterol is an animal based molecule that forms cell membranes. It's a lipid known as a sterol. Cholesterol is found in all animal foods and is healthy to eat, despite the opinions set forth by the diet-heart hypothesis. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol as well as other lipids. | |
Fat | Fat is a term used to describe a group of compounds known as lipids, which are organic molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Fats are an essential part of our diet and play important roles in our bodies. Animal fats with low linoleic and arachidonic acids are preferred. |