Comparing the Impact of Saturated Fatty Acids from Different Dairy Sources on LDL Particle Size Phenotype

BackgroundLow-density lipoproteins (LDL) constitute a heterogeneous class of lipoproteins among which small and dense LDL may be more atherogenic than large LDL particles, independent of cholesterol concentrations. The aim of this study was to examine how consumption of saturated fat (SFA) from different dairy sources modifies the LDL particle size phenotype compared with other dietary fats (monounsaturated - MUFA and polyunsaturated fat- PUFA) and a low-fat diet/high carbohydrate diet. MethodsA randomized crossover controlled trial was conducted in 92 men and women with abdominal obesity and relatively low HDL-C. Subjects were assigned to sequences of 5 isoenergetic diets of 4 weeks each (Table): 1) a diet rich in SFA from cheese (CHEESE); a diet rich in SFA from butter (BUTTER); a diet rich in MUFA; a diet rich in PUFA and a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet (CHO). All foods were provided to the participants during the experimental phases. Features of the LDL particle size phenotype (mean LDL particle siz...