RESUMEN
Although mandatory fortification of oil with vitamin A is efficacious, its effectiveness can be compromised by suboptimal compliance to standards. In this study, we assessed (1) the availability of oil brands across the eight divisions of Bangladesh, (2) fortification quality (the extent to which vitamin A content is aligned with fortification standards) of oil brands and producers and (3) the market volume represented by available edible oil types. We visited different retail outlets in rural and urban market hubs to ascertain available oil brands and bulk oil types and collected samples. We used high-performance liquid chromatography to quantify average vitamin A content and compared them to the national oil fortification standards. Among the 66 packaged brands analyzed, 26 (39%) were not fortified, and 40 (61%) were fortified, with 28 (42%) fortified above the standard vitamin A minimum. Among the 41 bulk oil type composites analyzed, 24 (59%) were not fortified, and 17 (41%) were fortified, with 14 (34%) fortified below and 3 (7%) fortified above the standard minimum. Vitamin A fortification is high for packaged and branded edible oil but low for oil sold in unbranded, loose form. As bulk oil makes up a large proportion of the oil market volume, this means the majority of the oil volume available to the population is either not (25%) or fortified below the standard requirement (39%). Regulatory inspections of producers selling bulk oil should be prioritized to support and incentivize the industry to make all oil traceable and fortified to standard.
Asunto(s)
Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/análisis , Alimentos Fortificados/análisis , Vitamina A/análisis , Bangladesh , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Etiquetado de Alimentos , Calidad de los Alimentos , Alimentos Fortificados/normas , Humanos , Supermercados , Vitamina A/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
No disponible
No disponible
Asunto(s)
Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Aceite de Palma/economía , Aceite de Palma/métodos , Dieta Mediterránea/economía , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus/sangre , Aceite de Palma/análisis , Aceite de Palma/historia , Dieta Mediterránea/etnología , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Diabetes Mellitus/diagnósticoAsunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/prevención & control , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Aceites de Plantas/clasificación , Dieta Mediterránea , Suplementos Dietéticos , Humanos , Masculino , Aceite de OlivaRESUMEN
The Food and Drug Administration now requires labeling of trans fats on nutrition labels, a decision that has created a push to reformulate deep-fat frying oils. Prior to the passage of this law, frying oils contained trans fats because trans fats made the oils more stable and thus allowing for longer frying usage. In the present study, oil performance, sensory evaluation and nutritional analysis was conducted on trans fat-free oils through a 10-day degradation process using French fries to break down the oil. The goal of the study was to test oil stability and nutrition analysis and to learn consumer preference between trans fat and trans fat-free oils. Sensory evaluation indicated a preference for fries composed from trans fat-free oil mixtures. The most stable oils were also combination oils. Based on these findings, industry representatives considering using the trans fat-free frying oils should consider using blended oils instead, which met customers' taste preference and minimized oil rancidity and usage.
Asunto(s)
Comportamiento del Consumidor/estadística & datos numéricos , Culinaria/métodos , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/análisis , Ácidos Grasos trans/análisis , Color , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Humanos , Hidrogenación , Peróxidos , Control de Calidad , Sensación , Solanum tuberosum , Factores de Tiempo , VerdurasRESUMEN
The safety of a refined arachidonic acid-rich oil (RAO) was evaluated for reverse mutation, chromosome aberration and gene mutation, and in a 90-day Wistar rat feeding study with in utero exposure. The results of the genotoxicity assays were all negative. The in utero phase of the 90-day study involved dietary exposure to 0.5%, 1.5% and 5% RAO and two controls diets, a standard feed low-fat diet and a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% corn oil. This exposure covered four-weeks prior to mating, through mating, gestation and lactation until offspring (F(1)) weaning. A subsequent 90-day feeding study in the F(1) rats evaluated the same test and control diets. Statistically significant effects were seen for selected histopathology, clinical chemistry and organ weight endpoints; however, other than increased absolute and relative monocytes seen in both sexes of high-dose rats, the observations were not attributed to treatment for one or more reasons. Based on these findings, no adverse treatment-related effects for RAO were seen at up to 5% in the diet, equivalent to an overall average RAO intake of 3170 mg/kg bwt/day. These and similar findings for other refined ARA-rich oils establish a strong body of evidence for the safety of this RAO.
Asunto(s)
Ácido Araquidónico/toxicidad , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/toxicidad , Exposición Materna/efectos adversos , Monocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Mutágenos/toxicidad , Reproducción/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Ácido Araquidónico/clasificación , Ácido Araquidónico/metabolismo , Células CHO , Línea Celular Tumoral , Aberraciones Cromosómicas/inducido químicamente , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Escherichia coli/genética , Femenino , Leucemia L5178/tratamiento farmacológico , Leucemia L5178/enzimología , Leucemia L5178/genética , Masculino , Monocitos/patología , Pruebas de Mutagenicidad , Mutágenos/clasificación , Mutágenos/metabolismo , Nivel sin Efectos Adversos Observados , Embarazo , Efectos Tardíos de la Exposición Prenatal , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Salmonella typhimurium/efectos de los fármacos , Salmonella typhimurium/genética , Timidina Quinasa/genética , Timidina Quinasa/metabolismoRESUMEN
Increasing evidence indicates favourable effects of the Mediterranean diet, partly associated to its monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content on both obesity and diabetes. However, neither the underlying mechanisms by which the Mediterranean diet exerts its protective effect, nor the interplay with other environmental factors (i.e. physical activity), are fully characterised. In this review, we examined recent data on how the metabolic fate of MUFA and saturated fatty acids (SFA) differs. Because of differential packaging into lipoproteins, hydrolysis of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins by lipoprotein lipase and transport into oxidative tissues, MUFA are oxidised more than SFA. This high MUFA oxidation favour lipid oxidation and according to the oxidative balance concept reduces the risk of obesity. It also improves the intra-muscular triacylglycerol turnover, which mitigates the SFA-induced accumulation of diacylglycerol and ceramides, and thus protects the insulin sensitivity and cell viability. Finally, physical activity through its action on the energy turnover differentially regulates the metabolism of SFA and MUFA. The putative combined role of AMP-activated kinase and mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate transferase on the intra-muscular partitioning of MUFA and SFA provides new areas of research to better understand the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet and physical activity on obesity and diabetes.
Asunto(s)
Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiología , Dieta Mediterránea , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/metabolismo , Grasas de la Dieta/metabolismo , Obesidad/epidemiología , Membrana Celular/química , Membrana Celular/enzimología , Diabetes Mellitus/inducido químicamente , Diabetes Mellitus/etiología , Grasas de la Dieta/clasificación , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Humanos , Lipoproteínas/metabolismo , Obesidad/inducido químicamente , Obesidad/complicacionesRESUMEN
Fatty acid effects on colorectal cancer risk were examined in a national prospective case-control study in Scotland (1999-2006), including 1,455 incident cases and 1,455 matched controls. Three conditional logistic regression models adjusted for energy (residual method) and for other risk factors were applied in the whole sample and were stratified by sex, cancer site, age, and tumor staging. Total and trans-monounsaturated fatty acids and palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids were dose-dependently associated with colorectal cancer risk, but these effects did not persist after further energy adjustment. Significant dose-dependent reductions in risk were associated with increased consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (highest vs. lowest quartile of intake: odds ratio = 0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.50, 0.80; p < 0.0005 for trend) and of eicosapentaenoic (odds ratio = 0.59, 95% confidence interval: 0.47, 0.75; p < 0.0005 for trend) and docosahexaenoic (odds ratio = 0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.50, 0.80; p < 0.0005 for trend) acids. These associations persisted after including energy with the nutrient-energy-adjusted term or total fatty acid intake (energy adjusted). The observed different effects of different types of fatty acids underline the importance of type of fat in the etiology and prevention of colorectal cancer.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Colorrectales/etiología , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/efectos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Encuestas sobre Dietas , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , EscociaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio on spleen lymphocyte's function and fatty acid composition in mice. METHODS: Male BALb/c mice were divided into 5 groups: the dietary S : m : p was 1 : 1.5 : 1 n-6/ n-3 PUFA ratio was 1, 7.5, 15, 30 respectively, and in the control group, dietary S : M : P was 1 : 1.5 : 3.7, which was followed the AIN-93G formulation. All groups consumed purified diet based on the AIN-93G formulation. The different n-6/ n-3 PUFA ratios in diets were varied by mixing of oils. After 12 wks breeding, all mice were sacrificed, and the function and fatty acid composition of Lymphocyte, IL-2 and PGE2 concentration were measured. RESULTS: When dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio approximated 1, the lymphocyte proliferation, proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell, IL-2 and PGE2 concentration decreased significantly. The concentration of C18 : 2, C20 : 4, n-6 PUFA in lymphocyte decreased significantly; Meanwhile, the concentration of C22 : 6, C16 : 1, C18 : 1 and total MUFA in lymphocyte significantly higher than other groups. The concentration of C2 : 6 in lymphocytes were significantly negative correlated with the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes. The concentration of C20 : 5 in lymphocyte was significantly negative correlated with the proportions of CD4+ T cell and IL-2 level. The concentration of C16 : 1 in lymphocyte was significantly negative correlated with the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell. CONCLUSION: The fatty acid composition of diet affected that of lymphocyte in mice. Compared with the T lymphocyte function in diet with n-6/n-3 ratio approximated 30, the T lymphocyte function in mice was suppressed when dietary n-6/n-3 ratio approximated 1.
Asunto(s)
Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Grasos Omega-6/administración & dosificación , Bazo/citología , Linfocitos T/inmunología , Animales , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/farmacología , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/farmacología , Ácidos Grasos Omega-6/farmacología , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Distribución Aleatoria , Linfocitos T/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) methods and common chemometric techniques [including discriminant analysis (DA), Mahalanobis distances, and Cooman plots] were used to classify various types of dietary supplement oils (DSO) and less expensive, common food oils. Rapid FT-IR methods were then developed to detect adulteration of DSO with select common food oils. Spectra of 14 types of DSO and 5 types of common food oils were collected with an FT-IR equipped with a ZnSe attenuated total reflectance cell and a mercury cadmium telluride A detector. Classification of DSO and some common food oils was achieved successfully using FT-IR and chemometrics. Select DSO were adulterated (2-20% v/v) with the common food oils that had the closest Mahalanobis distance to them in a Cooman plot based on the DA analysis, and data were also analyzed using a partial least-squares (PLS) method. The detection limit for the adulteration of DSO was 2% v/v. Standard curves to determine the adulterant concentration in DSO were also obtained using PLS with correlation coefficients of >0.9. The approach of using FT-IR in combination with chemometric analyses was successful in classifying oils and detecting adulteration of DSO.
Asunto(s)
Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/análisis , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Contaminación de Alimentos/análisis , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier , Suplementos Dietéticos , Aceites de Plantas/análisis , Aceites de Plantas/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Serum levels of several n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were compared in male Wistar muricidal (Mu) and non-Mu rats. The Mu behavior was either spontaneous or induced by long-term isolation, feeding with a starch-enriched polyunsaturated fatty acid diet (PUFA+S), water restriction, or adrenalectomy (ADX). Arachidonic acid (ARA) levels were lower in diet-induced (PUFA+S) Mu rats than in their non-Mu controls. Total n-6 fatty acid levels were also lower in spontaneously Mu rats than in spontaneously non-Mu rats. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total n-3 fatty acids levels were lower in rats with isolation-induced Mu behavior. The n-3/n-6 ratio was higher in spontaneously Mu rats than in spontaneously non-Mu rats. The changes in ARA levels were greater than those in DHA levels, possibly due to the higher blood-brain barrier passage of arachidonic acid. The results were analyzed in the light of recent results showing a role of PUFAs in human and animal behavior.
Asunto(s)
Agresión/efectos de los fármacos , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/farmacología , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/sangre , Adrenalectomía/métodos , Agresión/fisiología , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Conducta Animal , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/clasificación , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/fisiología , Masculino , Carencia Psicosocial , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Privación de AguaRESUMEN
The supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is important for optimal fetal and postnatal development. We have previously shown that leptin levels in suckling rats are reduced by maternal PUFA deficiency. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of maternal dietary intake of (n-3) and (n-6) PUFA on the leptin content in rat milk and serum leptin levels in suckling pups. For the last 10 days of gestation and throughout lactation, the rats were fed an isocaloric diet containing 7% linseed oil (n-3 diet), sunflower oil (n-6 diet), or soybean oil (n-6/n-3 diet). Body weight, body length, inguinal fat pad weight, and adipocyte size of the pups receiving the n-3 diet were significantly lower during the whole suckling period compared with n-6/n-3 fed pups. Body and fat pad weights of the n-6 fed pups were in between the other two groups at week one, but not different from the n-6/n-3 group at week 3. Feeding dams the n-3 diet resulted in decreased serum leptin levels in the suckling pups compared with pups in the n-6/n-3 group. The mean serum leptin levels of the n-6 pups were between the other two groups but not different from either group. There were no differences in the milk leptin content between the groups. These results show that the balance between the n-6 and n-3 PUFA in the maternal diet rather than amount of n-6 or n-3 PUFA per se could be important for adipose tissue growth and for maintaining adequate serum leptin levels in the offspring.
Asunto(s)
Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Leptina/sangre , Ácido Linoleico/administración & dosificación , Ácido alfa-Linolénico/administración & dosificación , Adipocitos/citología , Tejido Adiposo/química , Tejido Adiposo/metabolismo , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Animales Lactantes/sangre , Peso Corporal , Dieta , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/metabolismo , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Femenino , Leptina/biosíntesis , Leche/química , Embarazo , Fenómenos Fisiologicos de la Nutrición Prenatal , ARN Mensajero/biosíntesis , RatasRESUMEN
The link between excessive consumption of dietary saturated fats and coronary heart disease (CHD) is now well established. Because of its high content of saturated fatty acids, the consumption of foods containing coconut oil may therefore be a risk factor for CHD. While the fatty acid composition of coconut oil is well established, relatively little is known about the other constituents of coconut: the milk, water, cream and meat fractions. In this study, we show that while the water fraction is low in lipid content, the milk contains about 24% of the fat content of oil and the cream and meat fractions about 34%. The other coconut constituents contain significant amounts of medium-chain triglycerides that are formed from fatty acids of chain length 8:0 to 14:0. It is these fatty acids, primarily 14:0, that are thought to be atherogenic. On the other hand, medium-chain triglycerides may be advantageous under some circumstances in that they are absorbed intact and do not undergo degradation and re-esterification processes. As a result, medium-chain triglycerides provide a ready source of energy and may be useful in baby foods or in diet therapy. Nevertheless, the possible negative effects of the saturated fatty acids and the absence of the essential fatty acid linolenic acid from all coconut constituents suggest that the coconut milk, oil and cream should not be used on a regular basis in adults.
Asunto(s)
Cocos/química , Enfermedad Coronaria/etiología , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Enfermedad Coronaria/epidemiología , Grasas de la Dieta/análisis , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Humanos , Lípidos/análisis , Lípidos/sangre , Factores de Riesgo , Trinidad y TobagoRESUMEN
The link between excessive composition of dietary saturated fats and coronary heart disease (CHD) is now well established. Because of its high content of saturated fatty acids, the composition of foods containing coconut oil may therefore be a risk factor for CHD. While the fatty acid composition of coconut oil is well established, relatively little is known about the other constituents of coconut: the milk, water, cream and meat fractions. In this study, we show that while the water fraction is low in lipid content, the milk contains about 24 percent of the fat content of oil and the cream and meat fractions about 34 percent. The other coconut constituents contain significant amounts of medium-chain triglycerides that are formed from fatty acids of chain length 8:0 to 14:0. It is these fatty acids, primarily 14:0, that are thought to be atherogenic. On the other hand, medium-chain triglycerides provide a ready source of energy and may be useful in baby foods or in diet therapy. Nevertheless, the possible negative effects of the saturated acids and the absence of the essential fatty acid linolenic acid from all coconut constituents suggest that the coconut milk, oil and cream should not be used on a regular basis in adults.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Cocos/química , Enfermedad Coronaria/etiología , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Trinidad y Tobago , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Grasas de la Dieta/análisis , Factores de Riesgo , Enfermedad Coronaria/epidemiología , Lípidos/análisis , Lípidos/sangreRESUMEN
The link between excessive composition of dietary saturated fats and coronary heart disease (CHD) is now well established. Because of its high content of saturated fatty acids, the composition of foods containing coconut oil may therefore be a risk factor for CHD. While the fatty acid composition of coconut oil is well established, relatively little is known about the other constituents of coconut: the milk, water, cream and meat fractions. In this study, we show that while the water fraction is low in lipid content, the milk contains about 24 percent of the fat content of oil and the cream and meat fractions about 34 percent. The other coconut constituents contain significant amounts of medium-chain triglycerides that are formed from fatty acids of chain length 8:0 to 14:0. It is these fatty acids, primarily 14:0, that are thought to be atherogenic. On the other hand, medium-chain triglycerides provide a ready source of energy and may be useful in baby foods or in diet therapy. Nevertheless, the possible negative effects of the saturated acids and the absence of the essential fatty acid linolenic acid from all coconut constituents suggest that the coconut milk, oil and cream should not be used on a regular basis in adults. (AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Cocos/química , Enfermedad Coronaria/etiología , Ácidos Grasos/análisis , Enfermedad Coronaria/epidemiología , Grasas de la Dieta/análisis , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Lípidos/análisis , Lípidos/sangre , Factores de Riesgo , Trinidad y TobagoRESUMEN
While preference for fat can be influenced by concentration and physical form, the influence of fatty acid composition on relative preference for oils has not been systematically investigated. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to assess the relative preference for oils rich in oleic (Extra Light Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and linoleic (Safflower Oil) acid. Male Fischer rats (n = 10) were used to determine preference in a two-choice testing procedure in which three pairs of oils were each tested twice. Preference testing occurred at dark onset at which time the rodent diet and water were removed and each rat was allowed 2-h access to his assigned pair of oils. There was a main effect of oil type (p<0.01), but no significant effect of oil pairing and no interaction between oil pairing and oil type. Rats preferred the Extra Light Olive Oil to the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (p<0.05). This is the first report of preference testing in which two oils with similar fatty acid profiles were included. The present data indicate that the fats with similar fatty acid profiles were not equally preferred, suggesting that a property other than the fatty acid composition of the oils accounts for the demonstrated preference.
Asunto(s)
Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/metabolismo , Ingestión de Alimentos/fisiología , Ácidos Grasos/metabolismo , Preferencias Alimentarias/fisiología , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Ingestión de Energía/fisiología , Masculino , Aceite de Oliva , Aceites de Plantas/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas F344 , Aceite de Cártamo/metabolismoRESUMEN
To evaluate the effects of dietary fats on the evolution of the fatty acid profile of swine backfat, 30 castrated Landrace x Duroc pigs averaging 26 kg were assigned three diets with 4% added pomace oil (O), hydrogenated fat (H), or linseed oil (L). Subcutaneous fat samples were taken from biopsies at 0, 17, 31, and 60 d, and at 24 h postmortem when pigs averaged 95 kg live weight at 82 d on trial. On d 17, saturated fatty acid (SFA) content was 2% lower for the O diet than for H and L (P < .089). There was a linear increase in SFA at a monthly rate of 2% in the three diets. The increase was mainly due to 18:0; palmitic acid percentages showed no variation. Pigs fed the O diet experienced exponential increases in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), especially until d 17 (P < .001). In pigs fed the H or L diets, MUFA contents decreased at a monthly rate of 2.40%, and the same happened with oleic acid contents. Diets rich in (n-3) (L) and trans-fatty acids (H) caused exponential increases in swine backfat contents of total (n-3) and total trans, respectively. At d 31 (P < .001), 72 to 73% of the maximum contents had been reached. Contents for 20:3(n-3), 20:5(n-3), and 22:5(n-3) follow a pattern similar to that of their precursor 18:3(n-3), showing an exponential increase in pigs fed the L diet, and contents for H and O treatments were lower (P < .001). The three diets caused a linear decrease in (n-6) fatty acid contents throughout the 82-d trial.
Asunto(s)
Tejido Adiposo/química , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Composición Corporal/fisiología , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Grasos Monoinsaturados/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/análisis , Porcinos/metabolismo , Animales , Biopsia/veterinaria , Estudios de Cohortes , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/clasificación , Ácidos Grasos Monoinsaturados/química , Ácidos Grasos Monoinsaturados/clasificación , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/análisis , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/metabolismo , Ácidos Grasos Omega-6 , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/metabolismo , Masculino , Estereoisomerismo , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Elevated blood cholesterol is the strongest risk factor for coronary artery disease, and dietary excess of saturated fats is its largest contributor. Contrary to common belief, the contribution of dietary cholesterol to blood cholesterol is small. As a matter of fact, one need not consume cholesterol to have high blood cholesterol. Most vegetable cooking oils are low in saturated fats and are "heart healthy" with the important exception of tropical oils, such as coconut and palm oil, which are very rich in saturated fats. Though these oils contain no cholesterol, their cholesterol-raising potential is similar to or higher than most animal fats. Liberal use of these oils should be discouraged.