Similar serum lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in healthy subjects on diets enriched with rapeseed and with sunflower oil.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of sunflower oil and rapeseed oil on lipoprotein and fatty acid composition in healthy subjects when substituted for saturated fats.
Results Summary
Sunflower oil significantly decreased serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B concentrations, similar to rapeseed oil, while increasing 18:2 n-6 serum phospholipids and alpha-tocopherol. No adverse effects were reported, and both oils were equally effective in improving lipoprotein profiles.
Population
101 healthy subjects (mean age 29.2 years) at residential schools.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (used for cooking and as table margarine).
Duration
Two 3-week periods.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | decrease | serum cholesterol | healthy subjects | -4% | decreased significantly | #1 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | decrease | LDL cholesterol | healthy subjects | -5% to -7% | decreased significantly | #2 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | decrease | apolipoprotein B | healthy subjects | -5% | decreased significantly | #3 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | no change | serum triglycerides | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #4 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | no change | HDL cholesterol | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #5 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | no change | apolipoprotein A-1 | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #6 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | no change | lipoprotein (a) | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #7 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | decrease | serum cholesterol | healthy subjects | -4% | decreased significantly | #8 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | decrease | LDL cholesterol | healthy subjects | -5% to -7% | decreased significantly | #9 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | decrease | apolipoprotein B | healthy subjects | -5% | decreased significantly | #10 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | no change | serum triglycerides | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #11 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | no change | HDL cholesterol | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #12 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | no change | apolipoprotein A-1 | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #13 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | no change | lipoprotein (a) | healthy subjects | no significant change | remained virtually unchanged | #14 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | increase | 18:2 n-6 serum phospholipids | healthy subjects | - | increased | #15 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | increase | oleic acid (18:1 n-9) | healthy subjects | - | increased | #16 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | increase | alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) | healthy subjects | - | increased | #17 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | increase | eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) | healthy subjects | - | increased | #18 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | increase | alpha-tocopherol | healthy subjects | - | increased | #19 |
sunflower oil-enriched diet | decrease | gamma-tocopherol | healthy subjects | - | decreased | #20 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | increase | alpha-tocopherol | healthy subjects | - | increased less so | #21 |
rapeseed oil-enriched diet | decrease | gamma-tocopherol | healthy subjects | - | decreased less so | #22 |
substitution of mono- and polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats | increase | lipoprotein profile | healthy subjects | - | causes a significant improvement | #23 |
A double-blind cross-over study was conducted during two 3-week periods to compare the effects of rapeseed oil and sunflower oil, enriching a normal diet, on the lipoprotein and fatty acid composition in healthy subjects. It was carried out in randomized order at residential schools, comprising 101 persons (mean age 29.2 years). The dietary fats used for cooking and as table margarine were prepared from rapeseed oil during one period and from sunflower oil during the other. No changes were made in the total fat content or other dietary nutrients. During both treatment periods the serum cholesterol (-4%, P < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (-5% to -7%, P < 0.01 and 0.001) and apolipoprotein B (-5%, P < 0.001) concentrations decreased significantly and to the same extent, while serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 and lipoprotein (a) remained virtually unchanged. The content of 18:2 n-6 serum phospholipids was increased after the sunflower oil-enriched diet, and the contents of oleic acid (18:1 n-9), alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3), and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) were increased after the rapeseed oil-enriched diet. The concentration of alpha-tocopherol increased and gamma-tocopherol decreased after the sunflower oil-enriched diet, less so after the rapeseed oil-enriched diet. It is concluded that substitution of mono- and polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats without any other dietary changes causes a significant improvement of the lipoprotein profile in healthy subjects. The rapeseed oil and sunflower oil fats were equally effective in this respect. The results also indicate that humans have a certain capacity to elongate and desaturate alpha-linolenic acid to 20:5 n-3 in vivo. Dietary fats based on rapeseed oil seem to be attractive alternatives to the more commonly used oils and fats rich in linoleic acid. Financial support from the Swedish Council for Forestry and Agricultural Research and the Swedish Margarine Industrial Association for Nutritional Physiological Research is gratefully acknowledged.