title: A reduction in dietary saturated fat decreases body fat content in overweight, hypercholesterolemic males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of the quality of dietary fat on body composition is unknown. Our objective was to determine whether body composition is modified by the isocaloric substitution of a diet rich in saturated fat by a diet high in monounsaturated fat (Mediterranean diet) or a carbohydrate-rich diet in overweight subjects with hypercholesterolemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study involved 34 hypercholesterolemic males aged 18-63 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 28.2 (2.6), all of whom consumed a diet rich in saturated fat (SAT) for 28 days. They were then randomly divided into two groups of 17 subjects and underwent two dietary periods of 28 days each in a crossover design: a Mediterranean diet high in monounsaturated fat (MONO) and a carbohydrate-rich diet (CHO). The order of the diets was different for the two group. The CHO diet contained 57% CHO and 28% total fat (< 10% saturated fat, 12% monounsaturated fat and 6% polyunsaturated fat); the Mediterranean diet contained 47% CHO and 38% fat (< 10% saturated fat, 22% monounsaturated fat--75% of which was provided by olive oil- and 6% polyunsaturated fat). The variables measured at the end of each dietary intervention period were: 1) body composition by means of bioelectrical impedance; 2) plasma lipoproteins using enzymatic techniques; and 3) fatty acids in cholesterol esters by means of gas chromatography. BMI and the waist/hip ratio remained the same during the three dietary periods. A decrease in fat was observed when changing from a saturated fat diet (23.3 (6.3) kg) to a Mediterranean diet (20.8 (7.2) kg) (p < 0.05), or a carbohydrate-rich diet (20.6 (6.7) kg) (p < 0.05). Lean mass increased when changing from a SAT diet (58.4 (7.0) kg) to a CHO diet (60.2 (7.0) kg) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The isocaloric substitution of a saturated fat-rich diet by a Mediterranean or carbohydrate-rich diet decreases total body fat in hypercholesterolemic males.
authors.affiliation: Lipid and Atherosclerosis Unit, Reina Sofía Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal, s/n 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fernández de la Puebla
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pérez-Martinez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Paniagua
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Miranda
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pérez-Jiménez
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D002784:Cholesterol