Consumption of a Functional Oil Rich in Phytosterols and Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil Improves Plasma Lipid Profiles in Men

Abstract

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) have been proposed as weight-lowering agents, although there is some concern regarding their hyperlipidemic effect. This study evaluates the effects of a combination of MCT oil, phytosterols and flaxseed oil [functional oil (FctO)] on plasma lipid concentrations and LDL particle size. Twenty-four healthy overweight men (body mass index 28.2 +/- 0.4 kg/m(2)) consumed controlled diets designed to maintain weight for two periods of 29 d each. Diets contained 40% of energy as fat, 75% of which was added fat, either FctO or olive oil (OL). Body composition and blood samples were analyzed at the baseline and the endpoint of each period. Total cholesterol concentration decreased 12.5% (-0.68 mmol/L; P < 0.05) when subjects consumed FctO and 4.7% when they consumed OL. Similarly, FctO consumption lowered LDL cholesterol concentrations by 13.9%, whereas OL consumption did not. There was no difference in absolute change in LDL-cholesterol between FctO and OL consumption. Peak LDL particle size was greater in those who consumed FctO than in those who consumed OL (P < 0.05), with no effect of diet on proportion of large, medium or small particles. We conclude that those who consume a diet containing FctO have a better lipid profile than those who consume a diet rich in OL, which also leads to a larger lipoprotein particle size. Functional oil consumption can therefore help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Effects of a medium chain triglyceride oil mixture and α-lipoic acid diet on body composition, antioxidant status, and plasma lipid levels in the Golden Syrian hamster

“…In addition, MCTo feeding in these women was shown to increase average energy expenditure and fat oxidation as measured through indirect calorimetry [37]. Similar results were obtained when 24 healthy overweight men were fed MCTo for 28 days [38]. In concert with the favorable changes in the lipid profile, these participants exhibited a decrease in upper adipose tissue measured through magnetic resonance imaging [39].…”

Influence of crop season and cultivar on sterol composition of monovarietal olive oils in Reggio Calabria (Italy)

“…Phytosterols have a positive effect on reducing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the human body blood. St-Onge et al (2003) assumed that a dose of about 4 g daily would be suitable to induce changes in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Anti-cancer, antiinflammatory, and anti-atherogenicity activities are also benefits of these components (Berger 2004).…”

Serum lipid responses to phytosterol-enriched milk in a moderate hypercholesterolemic population is not affected by apolipoprotein E polymorphism or diameter of low-density lipoprotein particles

“…It could be argued that this response is to be expected, as changes in TAG are known to be the main cause of the modification of the size of LDLc particles, and PS therapy does not alter TAG serum levels. The fact that others have described an increase in LDLc diameter following therapy combining PS with soluble fiber or culinary oils (St-Onge et al, 2003;Shrestha et al, 2007) or sterols with exercise (Varady et al, 2005) suggest that the positive effect on LDLc size is induced by other stimuli that modify TAG concentration more than PS.…”

“…There is little and contradictory information with regard to the effect of PS on LDLc size. The majority of data in the literature provide evidence that LDLc size does not vary when there is a decrease in total cholesterol (TC) and LDLc (Matvienko et al, 2002;Charest et al, 2005;Gigleux et al, 2007), although some reports have shown that it increases in such conditions (St-Onge et al, 2003;Varady et al, 2005;Shrestha et al, 2007).…”