September 15, 2004
Stearic Acid: Saturated Fat Good Guy
LINCOLN. Neb. — Beef tallow seems an unlikely ingredient in a cholesterol-lowering compound.
Animal fats, which are high in saturated fats and contain cholesterol, have become dietary pariahs, and vegetable oils are in favor. Beef tallow is condemned by association as "bad for you."
Not so fast. Nutrition Scientist Tim Carr said animal fats' potential benefits have been overlooked because of this blanket indictment.
"We are re-examining those beneficial components that might be in animal fat that have long been ignored," the University of Nebraska-Lincoln scientist said of his research.
This led to his discovery that "all saturated fats are not created equal." In research several years ago, he found one saturated fat, stearic acid, actually lowers cholesterol.
Americans eat few fats and oils rich in stearic acid, except beef tallow, which is high in stearic acid.
Carr blended specific proportions of raw tallow with plant sterols to create his new cholesterol-lowering compound. He could use other sources, such as fully hydrogenated soybean oil, but tallow is cheap and abundant.
It's generally a good idea for people to reduce saturated fats in their diet, Carr said. "But the message that all saturated fats are bad was a short-sighted, alarmist approach."
9/15/04-VM
Timothy P. Carr - Ph.D.
Nutrition & Health Sciences
Professor
(402) 472-7940
Vicki Miller Research Communications Coordinator (402) 472-3813
Department: Nutrition and Health Sciences
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