On Wed, 20 Jun 2001, siobhan wrote:

>   How can one take results from a trial that uses a percentage of synthetic
> fats and extrapolate that meats containing these fatty acids will yield the
> same results?

Actually, that wasn't what we were discussing.  You cited the
claim, I believe, that stearic acid raises cholesterol, and that
is one of the reasons why you are suspicious of pork.  To
evaluate that claim we have to look for evidence of whether
stearic acid, not pork, raises cholesterol.  If we look only at
pork we can't know whether it's the stearic acid or something
else (such as palmitic or myristic acid) that's doing it.  I
agree that we have to be cautious about a study like this, but
since it is quite consistent with other studies (not using
any synthetic fats), I don't think there is reason to dismiss it
completely.

> <<The three liquid-formula diets, which were used in random order, were high
> in palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid, and oleic acid (18:1), respectively.
> >>
>
>    I have the same question of this as above.

There is no indication of synthetic fats here.

> <<We conclude that stearic acid appears to be as effective as oleic acid in
> lowering plasma cholesterol levels when either replaces palmitic acid in the
> diet.>>
>
> And how would one accomplish this with pork?

I don't know.  Who said anything about lowering cholesterol with
pork?  I'm only responding to your claim that stearic acid is
hypercholesterolemic.

> At link
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
> ds=7695873&dopt=Abstract
>
> <<Precise effects on lipoproteins of short and medium chain triglycerides
> (C4:0-C10:0) have never been examined.>>

Yes.  I'm not sure what you think the significance of this claim
is.

>   Science looks at things separately as allopathic medicine does.
> Realistically, each thing we put in our bodies combines with other things to
> create something harmonic or discordant.

Then why cite claims at all about stearic acid, which we don't
eat separately from other fats, proteins, etc.?

>   Until those who conduct studies start studying fatty acids (and other
> components of food) by feeding people the foods in which they occur (and a
> supportive natural diet of other foods) we cannot possibly find accurate
> answers.

That caveat applies equally, then, to the claim that stearic acid
is hypercholesterolemic.

I have been unable to find anything very alarming about stearic
acid.  It is digested less well than other fatty acids, so that
fats higher in stearic actually deliver somewhat less energy than
other fats, but I don't think this is a very significant thing.

Todd Moody
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