Effects of a Diet High in Polyunsaturated Fat on the Plasma Lipids of Normal Young Females

Abstract

Substitution of a palatable mixed diet containing 45% of the calories as fat, 50% of this derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, for an average American diet, produced a significant decrease in the level of plasma cholesterol and phospholipids in normal young women, as tested by t values less than the critical level of 15%. (All figures with respect to fat composition are approximate.) No significant change occurred in the plasma glycerides. The increase in cholesterol linoleate which occurred in all subjects can be used as an index of short-term diet adherence.