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Quality & nutrition

Photograph by Keith Jones.

In 2006, the USFDA authorised the palm oils. Typical Western diets are high-PUFA vegetable oils, including a
following qualified health claim for canola high in SFAs. A high amount of dietary blend of flaxseed and high-oleic canola
oil: “Limited and not conclusive scientific SFA may increase TC and LDL-C levels, oils (50/50%) or maize, olive, or sunflower
evidence suggests that eating about 1½ thus increasing the risk of developing oils. Six studies examined the consumption
tablespoons (19g) of canola oil daily may cardiovascular disease. Efforts to substitute of canola oil versus high-PUFA oils. In
reduce the risk of coronary heart disease SFAs have typically relied on replacement four of these six studies, sunflower oil
due to the unsaturated fat content in of animal fat and dairy products with liquid was chosen as one of the control oils. No
canola oil. To achieve this possible benefit, vegetable oils high in MUFAs and PUFAs. significant differences were observed
canola oil is to replace a similar amount Five studies compared canola oil-based between canola and sunflower oils on the
of saturated fat and not increase the total diets with typical Western diets, providing extent of reduction of TC concentration
number of calories you eat in a day.” This evidence that canola oil is able to reduce compared to the baseline, resulting in the
claim was based on the validity of total TC levels by an average of 12,2%. Diets conclusion that sunflower oil can improve
cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein based on canola oil showed positive TC concentration as well as canola oil.
cholesterol (LDL-C) levels as biomarkers effects on TC levels regardless of the type Three studies that selected olive oil as
for coronary heart disease (CHD). of canola oil used compared to a typical the control against canola oil resulted in
More recently, growing numbers of Western diet. Seven studies compared TC concentration reductions of 12,2, 14
studies indicate that biomarkers beyond canola oil-based diets with those high in and 11,6% after consumption of canola
blood lipids are beneficially influenced SFAs. The high-SFA diets in these studies oil compared to olive oil. Interestingly,
by canola oil consumption. The objective contained > 12% of energy from SFAs and the reductions in LDL-C achieved with
of this review was to conduct a literature > 30% of energy from total fat, mainly in canola oil were similar when compared
assessment to examine the health benefits the form of butter, margarine, mayonnaise, with maize and sunflower oils or an
of intact canola oil, rather than focus on and other high-SFA foods. Five of the seven oil blend of flaxseed and high-oleic
the effects of individual components in the studies examined the effects of margarines canola oils. However, three studies
oil. This approach can be considered more or mayonnaises made with canola oil on showed a higher reduction of LDL-C
practical since consumers make choices TC levels and all showed a lowering of concentrations with canola oil-based
among intact cooking oils for consumption. TC levels, in a range from 3,3% to 21,7%, diets compared with diets using olive oil.
Further, this review investigated compared with a high-SFA-treated group.
whether newer data is compatible with A group of subjects were fed diets In vitro and in vivo studies
earlier conclusions regarding the health containing canola oil or a high-SFA Not all dietary fats undergo equivalent
benefits of canola oil. The specific aim of this alternative rather than incorporating partitioning for energy expenditure, and
review, based on the most recent literature the oil into food products; their results some may exhibit satiety promoting
available, was to describe the effects of demonstrated significant lowering of TC actions. To help individuals maintain
canola oil consumption on blood lipids, levels with the canola oil, at 8,3% and 15,5%, normal body weight and prevent obesity,
inflammation, insulin sensitivity, LDL-C respectively, compared with the high-SFA studies have examined food intake, satiety,
oxidation, energy metabolism, and cancer alternative. Results from all seven studies body weight, body mass index, and body
compared with other dietary fat sources. consistently showed that replacing higher composition following consumption
SFA diets with canola oil decreased TC levels. of different types of oils. Furthermore,
Effects on blood lipid profiles dietary fatty acid composition plays an
SFAs are found in animal fat and dairy Canola vs other vegetable oils important role in metabolism and gene
products as well as certain types of Five studies compared canola or high- expression. Some studies have explored
vegetable oils, including coconut and oleic canola oil to other high-MUFA or the possible actions of oleic acid-rich oils,

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