Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Are Protective Against Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

  • Review
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

Over 50 years of research has sought to define the role dietary fat plays in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Although optimal dietary fat quantity has been keenly pursued over past decades, attention has recently centered on the value of dietary fat quality. The purpose of the present review is to provide a critical assessment of the current body of evidence surrounding efficacy of dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) for reduction of traditional risk factors defining metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD. Due to existing and emerging research on health attributes of MUFA rich diets, and to the low prevalence of chronic disease in populations consuming MUFA rich Mediterranean diets, national dietary guidelines are increasingly recommending dietary MUFA, primarily at the expense of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Consumption of dietary MUFA promotes healthy blood lipid profiles, mediates blood pressure, improves insulin sensitivity and regulates glucose levels. Moreover, provocative newer data suggest a role for preferential oxidation and metabolism of dietary MUFA, influencing body composition and ameliorating the risk of obesity. Mounting epidemiological and human clinical trial data continue to demonstrate the cardioprotective activity of the MUFA content of dietary fat. As the debate on the optimal fatty acid composition of the diet continues, the benefit of increasing MUFA intakes, particularly as a substitute for dietary SFA, deserves considerable attention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ALA:

Alpha-linolenic acid

BMI:

Body mass index

CHD:

Coronary heart disease

CHO:

Carbohydrate

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

HDL-C:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LF:

Lower fat

LNA:

Linoleic acid

LDL-C:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

MetS:

Metabolic syndrome

MF:

Moderate fat

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acids

OLA:

Oleic acid

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

SFA:

Saturated fatty acids

STA:

Stearic acid

TAG:

Triglyceride

TC:

Total cholesterol

TFA:

Trans fatty acids

References

  1. Mente A et al (2009) A systematic review of the evidence supporting a causal link between dietary factors and coronary heart disease. Arch Intern Med 169(7):659–669

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Salas-Salvado J et al (2008) Effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts on metabolic syndrome status: one-year results of the PREDIMED randomized trial. Arch Intern Med 168(22):2449–2458

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ros E (2003) Dietary cis-monounsaturated fatty acids and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 78(3 Suppl):617S–625S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kris-Etherton PM (1999) AHA Science Advisory. Monounsaturated fatty acids and risk of cardiovascular disease. American Heart Association. Nutrition Committee. Circulation 100(11):1253–1258

  5. Garg A (1998) High-monounsaturated-fat diets for patients with diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 67(3):577S–582S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Krauss RM et al (2000) AHA Dietary Guidelines: revision 2000: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. Stroke 31(11):2751–2766

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. American Heart Association Nutrition Committee et al (2006) Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation 114(1):82–96

    Google Scholar 

  8. Keys A et al (1986) The diet and 15-year death rate in the seven countries study. Am J Epidemiol 124(6):903–915

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (2001) Executive Summary of The Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, And Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol In Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA 285(19):2486–2497

    Google Scholar 

  10. Moreno JJ, Mitjavila MT (2003) The degree of unsaturation of dietary fatty acids and the development of atherosclerosis (review). J Nutr Biochem 14(4):182–195

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Reaven GM (2000) Diet and Syndrome X. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2(6):503–507

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Vessby B (2000) Dietary fat and insulin action in humans. Br J Nutr 83(Suppl 1):S91–S96

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Warensjo E et al (2008) Markers of dietary fat quality and fatty acid desaturation as predictors of total and cardiovascular mortality: a population-based prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr 88(1):203–209

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Jakobsen MU et al (2009) Major types of dietary fat and risk of coronary heart disease: a pooled analysis of 11 cohort studies. Am J Clin Nutr 89(5):1425–1432

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. WRITING GROUP MEMBERS et al (2010) Heart disease and stroke statistics—2010 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation 121(7):e46–e215

    Google Scholar 

  16. United States Department of Agriculture (2010) Dietary guidelines for Americans. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm. Accessed Dec 2010

  17. Grundy SM et al (2004) Definition of metabolic syndrome: Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/American Heart Association conference on scientific issues related to definition. Circulation 109(3):433–438

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Isomaa B et al (2001) Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Care 24(4):683–689

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lakka HM et al (2002) The metabolic syndrome and total and cardiovascular disease mortality in middle-aged men. JAMA 288(21):2709–2716

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Grundy SM et al (2005) Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: an American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement. Circulation 112(17):2735–2752

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. International Diabetes Federation (2010) IDF worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome. http://www.idf.org/idf-worldwide-definition-metabolic-syndrome. Accessed Dec 2010

  22. Reaven GM (1988) Banting lecture 1988. Role of insulin resistance in human disease. Diabetes 37(12):1595–1607

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Carr DB et al (2004) Intra-abdominal fat is a major determinant of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes 53(8):2087–2094

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Tong J et al (2007) Intra-abdominal fat accumulation predicts the development of the metabolic syndrome in non-diabetic Japanese-Americans. Diabetologia 50(6):1156–1160

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Potenza MV, Mechanick JI (2009) The metabolic syndrome: definition, global impact, and pathophysiology. Nutr Clin Pract 24(5):560–577

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ford ES (2005) Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome defined by the International Diabetes Federation among adults in the US. Diabetes Care 28(11):2745–2749

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Cameron AJ, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ (2004) The metabolic syndrome: prevalence in worldwide populations. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 33(2):351–375

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Grundy SM (2004) Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 89(6):2595–2600

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. American Heart Association (2009) Heart disease and stroke statistics—2009 update. American Heart Association, Dallas

    Google Scholar 

  30. Babio N, Bullo M, Salas-Salvado J (2009) Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome: the evidence. Public Health Nutr 12(9):1607–1617

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Tarrago-Trani MT et al (2006) New and existing oils and fats used in products with reduced trans-fatty acid content. J Am Diet Assoc 106(6):867–880

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kris-Etherton PM et al (2000) Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the food chain in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 71(1):179S–188S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Briefel RR, Johnson CL (2004) Secular trends in dietary intake in the United States. Annu Rev Nutr 24:401–431

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Willett WC et al (1995) Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating. Am J Clin Nutr 61(6):1402S–1406S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Perez-Jimenez F, Lopez-Miranda J, Mata P (2002) Protective effect of dietary monounsaturated fat on arteriosclerosis: beyond cholesterol. Atherosclerosis 163(2):385–398

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kris-Etherton PM et al (2007) Position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada: dietary fatty acids. J Am Diet Assoc 107(9):1599–1611

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (2010) DASH eating plan. NHLBI Information for Patients & the Public. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf. Accessed Oct 2010

  38. US Department of Agriculture (2010) MyPyramid. http://www.mypyramid.gov/. Accessed Oct 2010

  39. US Department of Health and Human Services (2010) Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/default.htm. Accessed Oct 2010

  40. Willett WC (ed) (2005) Eat, drink, and be healthy: The Harvard Medical School guide to healthy eating. Simon and Schuster, New York

    Google Scholar 

  41. Reedy J, Krebs-Smith SM (2008) A comparison of food-based recommendations and nutrient values of three food guides: USDA’s MyPyramid, NHLBI’s dietary approaches to stop hypertension eating plan, and Harvard’s healthy eating pyramid. J Am Diet Assoc 108(3):522–528

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. American Diabetes Association (1987) Nutritional recommendations and principles for individuals with diabetes mellitus: 1986. Diabetes Care 10(1):126–132

    Google Scholar 

  43. Franz MJ et al (2002) Evidence-based nutrition principles and recommendations for the treatment and prevention of diabetes and related complications. Diabetes Care 25(1):148–198

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus (2003) Report of the expert committee on the diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 26(Suppl 1):S5–S20

    Google Scholar 

  45. Krauss RM et al (1996) Dietary guidelines for healthy American adults. A statement for health professionals from the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association. Circulation 94(7):1795–1800

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Fats and Fatty Acids in Human Nutrition November 10–14, 2008, Geneva, Switzerland (2010) Interim summary of conclusions and dietary recommendations on total fat & fatty acids. http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/docs/Fats%20and%20Fatty%20Acids%20Summaryfin.pdf. Accessed Dec 2010

  47. FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2009) Qualified health claims: letter of enforcement discretion: unsaturated fatty acids from canola oil and reduced risk of coronary heart disease (Docket No. 2006Q-0091). http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/QualifiedHealthClaims/ucm072958.htm. Accessed Aug 2009

  48. Johnson GH, Keast DR, Kris-Etherton PM (2007) Dietary modeling shows that the substitution of canola oil for fats commonly used in the United States would increase compliance with dietary recommendations for fatty acids. J Am Diet Assoc 107(10):1726–1734

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Mensink RP, Katan MB (1992) Effect of dietary fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins. A meta-analysis of 27 trials. Arterioscler Thromb 12(8):911–919

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Hegsted DM et al (1993) Dietary fat and serum lipids: an evaluation of the experimental data. Am J Clin Nutr 57(6):875–883

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Clarke R et al (1997) Dietary lipids and blood cholesterol: quantitative meta-analysis of metabolic ward studies. BMJ 314(7074):112–117

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Mensink RP et al (2003) Effects of dietary fatty acids and carbohydrates on the ratio of serum total to HDL cholesterol and on serum lipids and apolipoproteins: a meta-analysis of 60 controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 77(5):1146–1155

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) (2002) Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) final report. Circulation 106(25):3143–3421

    Google Scholar 

  54. Hunter JE, Zhang J, Kris-Etherton PM (2010) Cardiovascular disease risk of dietary stearic acid compared with trans, other saturated, and unsaturated fatty acids: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 91(1):46–63

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Mozaffarian D, Clarke R (2009) Quantitative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils. Eur J Clin Nutr 63(Suppl 2):S22–S33

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Mensink RP, Katan MB (1987) Effect of monounsaturated fatty acids versus complex carbohydrates on high-density lipoproteins in healthy men and women. Lancet 1(8525):122–125

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Archer WR et al (2003) High carbohydrate and high monounsaturated fatty acid diets similarly affect LDL electrophoretic characteristics in men who are losing weight. J Nutr 133(10):3124–3129

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Kris-Etherton PM et al (1999) High-monounsaturated fatty acid diets lower both plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations. Am J Clin Nutr 70(6):1009–1015

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Colette C et al (2003) Exchanging carbohydrates for monounsaturated fats in energy-restricted diets: effects on metabolic profile and other cardiovascular risk factors. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 27(6):648–656

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Garg A et al (1988) Comparison of a high-carbohydrate diet with a high-monounsaturated-fat diet in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med 319(13):829–834

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Rodriguez-Villar C et al (2004) Comparison of a high-carbohydrate and a high-monounsaturated fat, olive oil-rich diet on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification in subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabet Med 21(2):142–149

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Berglund L et al (2007) Comparison of monounsaturated fat with carbohydrates as a replacement for saturated fat in subjects with a high metabolic risk profile: studies in the fasting and postprandial states. Am J Clin Nutr 86(6):1611–1620

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Ashton EL, Best JD, Ball MJ (2001) Effects of monounsaturated enriched sunflower oil on CHD risk factors including LDL size and copper-induced LDL oxidation. J Am Coll Nutr 20(4):320–326

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Cao Y et al (2009) Effects of moderate (MF) versus lower fat (LF) diets on lipids and lipoproteins: a meta-analysis of clinical trials in subjects with and without diabetes. J Clin Lipidol 3(1):19–32

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Lada AT, Rudel LL (2003) Dietary monounsaturated versus polyunsaturated fatty acids: which is really better for protection from coronary heart disease? Curr Opin Lipidol 14(1):41–46

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Gardner CD, Kraemer HC (1995) Monounsaturated versus polyunsaturated dietary fat and serum lipids. A meta-analysis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 15(11):1917–1927

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Grundy SM (1997) What is the desirable ratio of saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet? Am J Clin Nutr 66(4):988S–990S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Harris WS (1997) N-3 fatty acids and serum lipoproteins: human studies. Am J Clin Nutr 65(5):1645S–1654S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Franceschini G (2001) Epidemiologic evidence for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 88(12A):9N–13N

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Hausenloy DJ, Yellon DM (2008) Targeting residual cardiovascular risk: raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Heart 94(6):706–714

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Hodson L, Skeaff CM, Chisholm WA (2001) The effect of replacing dietary saturated fat with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat on plasma lipids in free-living young adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 55(10):908–915

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Ferrara LA et al (2000) Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Arch Intern Med 160(6):837–842

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Mutanen M et al (1992) Lack of effect on blood pressure by polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat diets. Eur J Clin Nutr 46(1):1–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Shah M, Adams-Huet B, Garg A (2007) Effect of high-carbohydrate or high-cis-monounsaturated fat diets on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of intervention trials. Am J Clin Nutr 85(5):1251–1256

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Muzio F et al (2007) Effects of moderate variations in the macronutrient content of the diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese patients with the metabolic syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr 86(4):946–951

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Appel LJ et al (2005) Effects of protein, monounsaturated fat, and carbohydrate intake on blood pressure and serum lipids: results of the OmniHeart randomized trial. JAMA 294(19):2455–2464

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Alonso A, Martinez-Gonzalez MA (2004) Olive oil consumption and reduced incidence of hypertension: the SUN study. Lipids 39(12):1233–1238

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Psaltopoulou T et al (2004) Olive oil, the Mediterranean diet, and arterial blood pressure: the Greek European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Am J Clin Nutr 80(4):1012–1018

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Lopez-Miranda J et al (2008) Olive oil and health: summary of the II international conference on olive oil and health consensus report, Jaen and Cordoba (Spain) 2008. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 20(4):284–294

    Google Scholar 

  80. Teres S et al (2008) Oleic acid content is responsible for the reduction in blood pressure induced by olive oil. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105(37):13811–13816

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Wild S et al (2004) Global prevalence of diabetes: estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. Diabetes Care 27(5):1047–1053

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Bergouignan A et al (2009) Metabolic fate of saturated and monounsaturated dietary fats: the Mediterranean diet revisited from epidemiological evidence to cellular mechanisms. Prog Lipid Res 48(3–4):128–147

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Due A et al (2008) Comparison of the effects on insulin resistance and glucose tolerance of 6-mo high-monounsaturated-fat, low-fat, and control diets. Am J Clin Nutr 87(4):855–862

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Paniagua JA et al (2007) A MUFA-rich diet improves postprandial glucose, lipid and GLP-1 responses in insulin-resistant subjects. J Am Coll Nutr 26(5):434–444

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Shah M et al (2007) Lipid, glycemic, and insulin responses to meals rich in saturated, cis-monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated (n-3 and n-6) fatty acids in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 30(12):2993–2998

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Christiansen E et al (1997) Intake of a diet high in trans monounsaturated fatty acids or saturated fatty acids. Effects on postprandial insulinemia and glycemia in obese patients with NIDDM. Diabetes Care 20(5):881–887

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Lopez S et al (2008) Distinctive postprandial modulation of beta cell function and insulin sensitivity by dietary fats: monounsaturated compared with saturated fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 88(3):638–644

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Perez-Jimenez F et al (2001) A Mediterranean and a high-carbohydrate diet improve glucose metabolism in healthy young persons. Diabetologia 44(11):2038–2043

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Vessby B et al (2001) Substituting dietary saturated for monounsaturated fat impairs insulin sensitivity in healthy men and women: The KANWU Study. Diabetologia 44(3):312–319

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Salas J et al (1999) The diet rich in monounsaturated fat modifies in a beneficial way carbohydrate metabolism and arterial pressure. Med Clin (Barc) 113(20):765–769

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Uusitupa M et al (1994) Effects of two high-fat diets with different fatty acid compositions on glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy young women. Am J Clin Nutr 59(6):1310–1316

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Tierney AC, Roche HM (2007) The potential role of olive oil-derived MUFA in insulin sensitivity. Mol Nutr Food Res 51(10):1235–1248

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Paniagua JA et al (2007) Monounsaturated fat-rich diet prevents central body fat distribution and decreases postprandial adiponectin expression induced by a carbohydrate-rich diet in insulin-resistant subjects. Diabetes Care 30(7):1717–1723

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Brehm BJ et al (2009) One-year comparison of a high-monounsaturated fat diet with a high-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 32(2):215–220

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Thomsen C et al (1999) Comparison of the effects of a monounsaturated fat diet and a high carbohydrate diet on cardiovascular risk factors in first degree relatives to type-2 diabetic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 53(10):818–823

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. van Dam RM et al (2002) Dietary fat and meat intake in relation to risk of type 2 diabetes in men. Diabetes Care 25(3):417–424

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Salmeron J et al (2001) Dietary fat intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Am J Clin Nutr 73(6):1019–1026

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Bray GA, Popkin BM (1998) Dietary fat intake does affect obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 68(6):1157–1173

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Willett WC (1998) Dietary fat and obesity: an unconvincing relation. Am J Clin Nutr 68(6):1149–1150

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Willett WC, Leibel RL (2002) Dietary fat is not a major determinant of body fat. Am J Med 113(Suppl 9B):47S–59S

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Field AE et al (2007) Dietary fat and weight gain among women in the Nurses’ Health Study. Obesity (Silver Spring) 15(4):967–976

    Google Scholar 

  102. Koh-Banerjee P et al (2003) Prospective study of the association of changes in dietary intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking with 9-y gain in waist circumference among 16,587 US men. Am J Clin Nutr 78(4):719–727

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Bes-Rastrollo M et al (2006) Olive oil consumption and weight change: the SUN prospective cohort study. Lipids 41(3):249–256

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Bes-Rastrollo M et al (2007) Nut consumption and weight gain in a Mediterranean cohort: The SUN study. Obesity (Silver Spring) 15(1):107–116

    Google Scholar 

  105. Mendez MA et al (2006) Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced 3-year incidence of obesity. J Nutr 136(11):2934–2938

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Piers LS et al (2003) Substitution of saturated with monounsaturated fat in a 4-week diet affects body weight and composition of overweight and obese men. Br J Nutr 90(3):717–727

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Kien CL, Bunn JY, Ugrasbul F (2005) Increasing dietary palmitic acid decreases fat oxidation and daily energy expenditure. Am J Clin Nutr 82(2):320–326

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Garland M et al (1998) The relation between dietary intake and adipose tissue composition of selected fatty acids in US women. Am J Clin Nutr 67(1):25–30

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Baylin A et al (2002) Adipose tissue biomarkers of fatty acid intake. Am J Clin Nutr 76(4):750–757

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Garaulet M et al (2001) Site-specific differences in the fatty acid composition of abdominal adipose tissue in an obese population from a Mediterranean area: relation with dietary fatty acids, plasma lipid profile, serum insulin, and central obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 74(5):585–591

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Sabin MA et al (2007) Depot-specific effects of fatty acids on lipid accumulation in children’s adipocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 361(2):356–361

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Wajchenberg BL (2000) Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue: their relation to the metabolic syndrome. Endocr Rev 21(6):697–738

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. McCloy U et al (2004) A comparison of the metabolism of eighteen-carbon 13C-unsaturated fatty acids in healthy women. J Lipid Res 45(3):474–485

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. DeLany JP et al (2000) Differential oxidation of individual dietary fatty acids in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 72(4):905–911

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Jones PJ, Jew S, AbuMweis S (2008) The effect of dietary oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids on fat oxidation and energy expenditure in healthy men. Metabolism 57(9):1198–1203

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Casas-Agustench P et al (2009) Acute effects of three high-fat meals with different fat saturations on energy expenditure, substrate oxidation and satiety. Clin Nutr 28(1):39–45

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Friedman MI (1998) Fuel partitioning and food intake. Am J Clin Nutr 67(3):513S–518S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Lawton CL et al (2000) The degree of saturation of fatty acids influences post-ingestive satiety. Br J Nutr 83(5):473–482

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Rudel LL, Parks JS, Sawyer JK (1995) Compared with dietary monounsaturated and saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat protects African green monkeys from coronary artery atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 15(12):2101–2110

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Hegsted DM, Ausman LM (1988) Diet, alcohol and coronary heart disease in men. J Nutr 118(10):1184–1189

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. Hu FB et al (1997) Dietary fat intake and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. N Engl J Med 337(21):1491–1499

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. Pietinen P et al (1997) Intake of fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease in a cohort of Finnish men. The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Am J Epidemiol 145(10):876–887

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Katan MB (2009) Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary heart disease. Am J Clin Nutr 89(5):1283–1284

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  124. Eckel RH et al (2009) Americans’ awareness, knowledge, and behaviors regarding fats: 2006–2007. J Am Diet Assoc 109(2):288–296

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Gulseth HL et al (2010) Dietary fat modifications and blood pressure in subjects with the metabolic syndrome in the LIPGENE dietary intervention study. Br J Nutr: 1–4

  126. Shah M et al (2005) Effect of a high-carbohydrate versus a high-cis-monounsaturated fat diet on blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 28(11):2607–2612

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  127. Thomsen C et al (1995) Comparison of the effects on the diurnal blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels of a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids with a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetic subjects. Diabet Med 12(7):600–606

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Walker KZ et al (1995) Dietary composition, body weight, and NIDDM. Comparison of high-fiber, high-carbohydrate, and modified-fat diets. Diabetes Care 18(3):401–403

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  129. Rasmussen BM et al (2006) Effects of dietary saturated, monounsaturated, and n-3 fatty acids on blood pressure in healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 83(2):221–226

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  130. Aro A et al (1998) Lack of effect on blood pressure by low fat diets with different fatty acid compositions. J Hum Hypertens 12(6):383–389

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  131. Lahoz C et al (1997) Effects of dietary fat saturation on eicosanoid production, platelet aggregation and blood pressure. Eur J Clin Invest 27(9):780–787

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  132. Uusitupa MI et al (1994) Long-term effects of four fat-modified diets on blood pressure. J Hum Hypertens 8(3):209–218

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  133. Mensink RP, Stolwijk AM, Katan MB (1990) Effect of a monounsaturated diet vs. a polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diet on blood pressure in normotensive women and men. Eur J Clin Invest 20(4):463–469

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  134. Mensink RP, Janssen MC, Katan MB (1988) Effect on blood pressure of two diets differing in total fat but not in saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in healthy volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr 47(6):976–980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  135. Vega-Lopez S et al (2006) Palm and partially hydrogenated soybean oils adversely alter lipoprotein profiles compared with soybean and canola oils in moderately hyperlipidemic subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 84(1):54–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  136. Gerhard GT et al (2004) Effects of a low-fat diet compared with those of a high-monounsaturated fat diet on body weight, plasma lipids and lipoproteins, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 80(3):668–673

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  137. Thomsen C et al (2003) Differential effects of saturated and monounsaturated fats on postprandial lipemia and glucagon-like peptide 1 responses in patients with type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 77(3):605–611

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  138. Lovejoy JC et al (2002) Effects of diets enriched in saturated (palmitic), monounsaturated (oleic), or trans (elaidic) fatty acids on insulin sensitivity and substrate oxidation in healthy adults. Diabetes Care 25(8):1283–1288

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  139. Lauszus FF et al (2001) Effect of a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet on blood pressure and glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Eur J Clin Nutr 55(6):436–443

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  140. Rodriguez-Villar C et al (2000) High-monounsaturated fat, olive oil-rich diet has effects similar to a high-carbohydrate diet on fasting and postprandial state and metabolic profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes. Metabolism 49(12):1511–1517

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  141. Luscombe ND, Noakes M, Clifton PM (1999) Diets high and low in glycemic index versus high monounsaturated fat diets: effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM. Eur J Clin Nutr 53(6):473–478

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  142. Sarkkinen E et al (1996) The effects of monounsaturated-fat enriched diet and polyunsaturated-fat enriched diet on lipid and glucose metabolism in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Eur J Clin Nutr 50(9):592–598

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  143. Parillo M et al (1992) A high-monounsaturated-fat/low-carbohydrate diet improves peripheral insulin sensitivity in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Metabolism 41(12):1373–1378

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  144. Bonanome A et al (1991) Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects of a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet vs. a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 54(3):586–590

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  145. Thomsen C et al (1999) Differential effects of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids on postprandial lipemia and incretin responses in healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 69(6):1135–1143

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  146. Louheranta AM et al (1998) A high-stearic acid diet does not impair glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in healthy women. Metabolism 47(5):529–534

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  147. Joannic JL et al (1997) How the degree of unsaturation of dietary fatty acids influences the glucose and insulin responses to different carbohydrates in mixed meals. Am J Clin Nutr 65(5):1427–1433

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba, 196 Innovation Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Leah G. Gillingham, Sydney Harris-Janz & Peter J. H. Jones

Authors
  1. Leah G. Gillingham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sydney Harris-Janz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter J. H. Jones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter J. H. Jones.

About this article

Cite this article

Gillingham, L.G., Harris-Janz, S. & Jones, P.J.H. Dietary Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Are Protective Against Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. Lipids 46, 209–228 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-010-3524-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-010-3524-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation