Siobhan wrote:

<<Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid.  It is two carbon atoms longer
> than palmitic acid and is similarly cholesterogenic...">>

Todd responded:

<<I think this claim is disputed.  See for example
http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/research/Stearic.htm >>


From the article cited above:

"When Yeh and Pai measured the size of VLDL particles that were secreted by
the cells, they found that particles treated with stearic acid were almost
twice as large as particles from cells treated with the fats from palm oil
or coconut oil.

Larger-sized VLDL particles are more rapidly removed from circulating blood
by the liver than those of smaller size, Yeh says. Once in the liver, the
larger VLDL is degraded.

Yeh says that preliminary data from his research of stearic acid in rats
confirms some of these findings. Rats in the study fed diets high in stearic
acid have much less VLDL and "bad" cholesterol in their blood, he says.

The findings are not an endorsement that people can eat unlimited amounts of
red meat and chocolate, Yeh says. "We can eat some red meat and some
chocolate, but I would limit the consumption," he says."


** I don't know, Todd, I'm not saying you're wrong but I am saying that I'm
more than a little skeptical of conducting studies on rats and then taking
the preliminary findings and assuming that these findings would apply to
human beings.

I looked for thorough report of the research.  I wanted to know what form of
delivery was used for the stearic acid.  I couldn't find any further
published information.   This was the research project of a doctoral student
overseen by an associate professor.

As stated above, "Rats in the study  fed diets HIGH in stearic acid have
MUCH LESS VLDL..."   and following this:

"Yeh says, "We can eat some red meat and some chocolate, but I would limit
the consumption."

Why limit consumption if a diet "high in stearic acid" is thought to be
beneficial to humans based upon the research done on the rats?

Siobhan (Catherine)