Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Replacement of partially hydrogenated soybean oil by palm oil in margarine without unfavorable effects on serum lipoproteins

  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

We have compared the effects of three different margarines, one based on palm oil (PALM-margarine), one based on partially hydrogenated soybean oil (TRANS-margarine) and one with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA-margarine), on serum lipids in 27 young women. The main purpose of the study was to test if replacement of trans fatty acids in margarine by palmitic acid results in unfavorable effects on serum lipids. The sum of saturated fatty acids (12∶0, 14∶0, 16∶0) was 36.3% of total fatty acids in the PALM-diet, the same as the sum of saturated (12∶0, 14∶0, 16∶0) (12.5%) and trans (23.1%) fatty acids in the TRANS-diet. This sum was 20.7% in the PUFA-diet. The content of oleic acid was 37.9, 35.2, and 38.6%, respectively, in the three diets, whereas linoleic acid amounted to 16, 13.5, and 27.3%, respectively. Total fat provided 30–31% and the test margarines 26% of total energy in all three diets. The subjects consumed each of the diets for 17 d in a Latin-square crossover design. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB) between the TRANS-and the PALM-diets. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apoA-I were significantly higher on the PALM-diet compared to the TRANS-diet whereas the ratio of LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol was lower, although not significantly (P=0.077) on the PALM-diet. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and apoB were significantly lower on the PUFA-diet compared to the two other diets. HDL-cholesterol was not different on the PALM-and the PUFA-diets but it was significantly lower on the TRANS-diet compared to the PUFA diet. Compared to the PUFA-diet the ratio of LDL-to HDL-cholesterol was higher on both the PALM- and the TRANS-diets whereas apoA-I was not different. Triglycerides and lipoprotein (a) were not significantly different among the three diets. We concluded that nutritionally, palmitic acid from palm oil may be a reasonable alternative to trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated soybean oil in margarine if the aim is to avoid trans fatty acids. A palm oil-based margarine is, however, less favorable than one based on a more polyunsaturated vegetable oil.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

Apo:

apolipoprotein

BMI:

body mass index

E%:

percentage of energy

HDL:

high density lipoprotein

LDL:

low density lipoprotein

Lp(a):

lipoprotein (a)

PALM-margarine:

a hard zero-trans margarine containing 80% palm oil, 11% soybean oil, and 9% rapeseed oil

PHSO:

partially hydrogenated soybean oil

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

PUFA-margarine:

a commercial soft highly polyunsaturated margarine consisting of coconut, palm, refined sunflower, and refined rapeseed oils

TRANS-margarine:

a hard margarine containing a high amount of trans fatty acids from PHSO, containing 56% PHSO, 34% refined rapeseed oil, and 10% refined soybean oil

References

  1. Slover, H.T., Thompson, R.H., Jr., Davis, C.S., and Merola, G.V. (1985) Lipids in Margarines and Margarine-like Foods, J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 62, 775–786.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Anderson, J.T., Grande, F., and Keys, A. (1961) Hydrogenated Fats in the Diet and Lipids in the Serum of Man, J. Nutr. 75, 388–394.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Vegroesen, A.J. (1972) Dietary Fat and Cardiovascular Disease: Possible Modes of Action of Linoleic Acid, Proc. Nutr. Soc. 31, 323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mensink, R.P., and Katan, M.B. (1990) Effect of Dietary Trans Fatty Acids on High-Density and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Healthy Subjects, N. Engl. J. Med. 323, 439–445.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Zock, P.L., and Katan, M.B. (1992) Hydrogenation Alternatives: Effects of Trans Fatty Acids and Stearic Acid Versus Linoleic Acid on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Humans, J. Lipid Res. 33, 399–410.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Nestel, P., Noakes, M., Belling, B., McArthur, R., Clifton, P., Janus, E., and Abbey, M. (1992) Plasma Lipoprotein Lipid and Lp(a) Changes with Substitution of Elaidic Acid for Oleic Acid in the Diet, J. Lipid Res. 33, 1029–1036.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lichtenstein, A.H., Ausman, L.M., Carrasco, W., Jenner, J.L., Ordovas, J.M., and Schaefer, E.J. (1993) Hydrogenation Impairs the Hypolipidemic Effect of Corn Oil in Humans. Hydrogenation, Trans Fatty Acids, and Plasma Lipids, Arterioscler. Thromb. 13, 154–161.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Judd, J.T., Clevidence, B.A., Muesing, R.A., Wittes, J., Sunkin, M.E., and Podczasy, J.J. (1994) Dietary Trans Fatty Acids: Effect on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins of Healthy Men and Women, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59, 861–868.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Almendingen, K., Jordal, O., Kierulf, P., Sanstad, B., and Pedersen, J.I. (1995) Effects of Partially Hydrogenated Fish Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, and Butter on Serum Lipoproteins and Lp(a) in Men, J. Lipid Res. 36, 1370–1384.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Mensink, R.P., Zock, P.L., Katan, M.B., and Hornstra, G. (1992) Effect of Dietary Cis and Trans Fatty Acids on Serum Lipoprotein (a) Levels in Humans, J. Lipid Res. 33, 1493–1501.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Aro, A., Jauhiainen, M., Partanen, R., Salmien, I., and Mutanen, M. (1997) Stearic Acid, Trans Fatty Acids, and Dairy Fat: Effects on Serum Lipoproteins, Lipids, Apolipoproteins, Lipoprotein (a), and Lipid Transfer Proteins in Healthy Subjects, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 65, 1419–1426.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Cottrel, R.C. (1991) Introduction: Nutritional Aspects of Palm Oil, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 989S-1009S.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hegsted, D.M., McGandy, R.B., Myers, M.L., and Stare, F.J. (1965) Quantitative Effects of Dietary Fat on Serum Cholesterol in Man, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 17, 281–295.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ng, T.K.W., Hassan, K., Lim, J.B., Lye, M.S., and Ishak, R. (1991) Nonhypercholesterolemic Effects of a Palm-oil Diet in Malaysian Volunteers, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 1015S-1020S.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ng, T.K.W., Hayes, K.C., DeWitt, G.F., Jegathesan, M., Satgunasingam, N., Ong, A.S.H., and Tan, D. (1992) Dietary Palmitic and Oleic Acids Exert Similar Effects on Serum Cholesterol and Lipoprotein Profiles in Normocholesterolemic Men and Women, J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 11, 383–390.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Marzuki, A., Arshad, F., Razak, T.A., and Jaarin, K. (1991) Influence of Dietary Fat on Plasma Lipid Profiles of Malaysian Adolescents, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 1010S-1014S.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Choudhury, N., Tan, L., and Truswell, S. (1995) Comparison of Palmolein and Olive Oil: Effects on Plasma Lipids and Vitamin E in Young Adults, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 61, 1043–1051.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Temme, E.H.M., Mensink, R.P., and Hornstra, G. (1996) Comparison of the Effects of Diets Enriched in Lauric, Palmitic, or Oleic Acids on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Healthy Women and Men, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 63, 897–903.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hayes, K.C., Pronczuk, A., Lindsey, S., and Diersen-Schade, D. (1991) Dietary Saturated Fatty Acids (12∶0, 14∶0, 16∶0) Differ in Their Impact on Plasma Cholesterol and Lipoproteins in Non-human Primates, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 491–498.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Nes, M., Frost Andersen, L., Solvoll, K., Sandstad, B., Hustvedt, B.E., Løvø, A., and Drevon, C.A. (1992) Accuracy of a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Applied in Elderly Norwegian Women, Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 46, 809–821.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Keys, A., Anderson, J.T., and Grande, F. (1957) Prediction of Serum-Cholesterol Responses of Man to Change in Fats in the Diet, Lancet 2, 959–966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Brussaard, J.H., Katan, M.B., Groot, P.H.E., Havekes, L.M., and Hautwast, A.J. (1982) Serum Lipoproteins of Healthy Persons Fed a Low-fat Diet or a Polyunsaturated Fat Diet for Three Months. A Comparison of Two Cholesterol-lowering Diets, Atherosclerosis 42, 205–219.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Mensink, R.P., and Katan, M.B. (1987) Effect of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Versus Complex Carbohydrates on High Density Lipoproteins in Healthy Men and Women, Lancet 1, 122–125.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Energy and Protein Requirements, Report of a Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation, Technical Report Series 724, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Folch, J., Lees, M., and Sloane Stanley, G.H. (1957) A Simple Method for the Isolation and Purification of Total Lipids from Animal Tissues, J. Biol. Chem. 226, 497–509.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Andersson, I., Borgström, A., Dahlquist, A., and Åkesson, B. (1975) A Study of the Food Consumption by the Duplicate Portion Technique in a Small Sample of the Dalby Population, Scan. J. Soc. Med. Suppl. 10, 36–41.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Official Methods and Recommended Practices of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 4th edn. (1989) (Firestone, D., ed.) Method CE3-74, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Official Methods and Recommended Practices of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 4th edn. (1989) (Firestone, D., ed.) Method CE2-66, American Oil Chemists' Society, Champaign.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Siedel, J., Rollinger, W., Rôschlau, P., and Ziegenhorn, J. (1985) Total Cholesterol, End-point and Kinetic Method, in Methods of Enzymatic Analysis, 3rd edn. (Bergmeyer, H.U., ed.) Vol. 8, pp. 139–148, Weinheim, FRG.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Nâgele, U., Wahlefeld, A.W., and Ziegenhorn, J. (1985) Triglycerides: Colormetric Method, in Methods of Enzymatic Analysis, 3rd edn. (Bergmeyer, H.U., ed.) Vol. 8, pp. 12–18. Weinheim, FRG.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Friedewald, W.T., Lewy, R.I., and Fredrickson, D.S. (1972) Estimation of the Concentration of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Plasma, Without Use of the Preparative Ultracentrifuge, Clin. Chem. 18, 499–502.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Yu, S., Derr, J., Etherton, T.D., and Kris-Etherton, P.M. (1995) Plasma Cholesterol-Predictive Equations Demonstrate That Stearic Acid Is Neutral and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Are Hypocholesterolemic, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 61, 1129–1139.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Mensink, R.P., and Katan, M.B. (1992) Effect of Dietary Fatty Acids on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins. A Metaanalysis of 27 Trials, Arterioscler. Thromb. 12, 911–919.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Sundram, K., Hassan, A.H., Siru, O.H., and Hayes, K.C. (1991) Dietary Palmitate Lowers Cholesterol Relative to Laurate and Myristate in Humans, Arterioscler. Thromb. 11, 1614a.

  35. Sundram, K., Hayes, K.C., and Siru, O.H. (1994) Dietary Palmitic Acid Results in Lower Serum Cholesterol Than Does a Lauric-Myristic Combination in Normolipemic Humans, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59, 841–846.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Zock, P.L., de Vries, H.M., and Katan, M.B. (1994) Impact of Myristic Acid Versus Palmitic Acid on Serum Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels in Healthy Women and Men, Arterioscler. Thromb. 14, 567–575.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Wood, R., Kubena, K., Tseng, S., Martin, G., and Crook, R. (1993) Effect of Palm Oil, Margarine, Butter and Sunflower Oil on the Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins of Normocholesterolemic Middle-aged Men, J. Nutr. Biochem. 4, 286–297.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Hayes, K.C., and Khosla, P. (1992) Dietary Fatty Acid Thresholds and Cholesterolemia, FASEB J. 6, 2600–2607.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Wardlaw, G.M., and Snook, J.T. (1990) Effect of Diets High in Butter, Corn Oil, or High-Oleic Acid Sunflower on Serum Lipids and Apolipoproteins in Men, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 51, 815–821.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Cox, C., Mann, J., Sutherland, W., Chrisholm, A., and Skeaff, M. (1995) Effects of Coconut Oil, Butter, and Safflower Oil on Lipids and Lipoproteins in Persons with Moderately Elevated Cholesterol Levels, J. Lipid Res. 36, 1787–1795.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Abbey, M., Noakes, M., Belling, G.B., and Nestel, P.J. (1994) Partial Replacement of Saturated Fatty Acids with Almonds or Walnuts Lowers Total Plasma Cholesterol and Low-Density-Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59, 995–999.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Wood, R., Kubena, K., O'Brien, B., Tseng, S., and Martin, G. (1993) Effect of Butter, Mono- and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Enriched Butter, Trans Fatty Acid Margarine, and Zero Trans Fatty Acid Margarine on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Healthy Men, J. Lipid Res. 34, 1–11.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Troisi, R., Willett, W.C., and Weiss, S.T. (1992) Trans-Fatty Acid Intake in Relation to Serum Lipid Concentrations in Adult Men, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 56, 1019–1024.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Laine, D.C., Snodgrass, C.M., Dawson, E.A., Ener, M.A., Kuba, K., and Frantz, I.D., Jr. (1982) Lightly Hydrogenated Soy Oil Versus Other Vegetable Oils as a Lipid-lowering Dietary Constituent, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 35, 683–690.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Abbey, M., and Nestel, P.J. (1994) Plasma Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Activity Is Increased When Trans-Elaidic Acid Is Substituted for Cis-Oleic Acid in the Diet, Atherosclerosis 106, 99–107.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Van Tol, A., Zock, P.L., van Gent, T., Scheek, L.M., and Katan, M.B. (1995) Dietary Trans Fatty Acids Increase Serum Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Activity in Man, Atherosclerosis 115, 129–134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Rassias, G., Kestin, M., and Nestel, P.J. (1991) Linoleic Acid Lowers LDL Cholesterol Without a Proportionate Displacement of Saturated Fatty Acid, Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 45, 315–320.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Miller, N.E., Førde, O.H., Thelle, D.S., and Mjøs, O.D. (1977) The Tromsø Heart Study. High-Density Lipoprotein and Coronary Hearth Disease—A Prospective Case-Control Study, Lancet, 965–967.

  49. Gordon, D.J., Probstfield, J.L., and Garrison, R.J. (1989) High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease: Four Prospective American Studies, Circulation 79, 8–15.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Anderson, K.M., Wilson, P.W.F., Odell, P.M., and Kannel, W.B. (1991) An Updated Coronary Risk Profile: A Statement for Health Professionals, Circulation 83, 356–362.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Tall, A.R. (1990) Plasma High Density Lipoproteins. Metabolism and Relationship to Atherogenesis, J. Clin. Invest. 86, 379–384.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Müller, H., Jordal, O., Seljeflot, I., Kierulf, P., Kirkhus, B., Ledsaak, O., and Pedersen, J.I. (1998) Effect on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins of Replacing Partially Hydrogenated Fish Oil with Vegetable Fat in Margarine, Brit. J. Nutr. 80, in press.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Akershus College, 1340, Bekkestua, Norway

    Hanne Müller & Jan I. Pedersen

  2. Clinical Chemistry Department, Ullevaal Hospital, 0407, Oslo, Norway

    Peter Kierulf

  3. Mills DA, 0506, Oslo, Norway

    Bente Kirkhus

  4. Institute for Nutrition Research, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1046 Blindern, N-0316, Oslo, Norway

    Odd Jordal & Jan I. Pedersen

Authors
  1. Hanne Müller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Odd Jordal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter Kierulf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bente Kirkhus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jan I. Pedersen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan I. Pedersen.

About this article

Cite this article

Müller, H., Jordal, O., Kierulf, P. et al. Replacement of partially hydrogenated soybean oil by palm oil in margarine without unfavorable effects on serum lipoproteins. Lipids 33, 879–887 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-998-0284-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-998-0284-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation