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Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD). Saturated fatty acids (SFA) increase the risk of CVD. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of high-PUFA diet to protect against high-SFA meals. Sixteen subjects (n=8 males, n=8 females) were divided into the PUFA diet and 10 subjects (n=5 males, n=5 females) into the control diet group. Pre-diet triglycerides (TG) were collected for 8 hours after ingestion of 2 SFA-rich meals. After a 7-day PUFA-rich or control diet, SFA-rich meals were repeated. Changes in plasma TG, glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), fat oxidation and insulin were determined. PUFA diet decreased TG and glucose, and increased FFA and fat oxidation levels. This suggests that high-PUFA diet mitigates the effects of high-SFA meals, and may be useful in decreasing blood TG concentrations in males and females. PUFAs may be more protective against atherosclerosis risk in females, compared to males.