University of Alberta researcher Flora Wang, a PhD candidate found that a diet enriched with trans vaccenic acid (VA), a natural animal fat found in dairy and beef products, can lower the risk factors related to the conditions.
The results revealed that VA is capable of reducing the production of chylomicrons, particles of fat and cholesterol that form in the small intestine after a meal and are quickly processed throughout the body.
The role of chylomicrons is believed to be the missing link in understanding of conditions developing from metabolic disorders.
"Our results provide further evidence of the important role of chylomicrons in contributing to risk factors associated with metabolic disorders," said Wang. "They also indicate a strong opportunity for using diets with enhanced VA to help reduce these risk factors," she added.
The study was conducted using model rat species that were given two VA feedings trials, one short-term (three weeks) and one long-term (16 weeks).
Researchers found that in 16-week trial, total cholesterol was lowered by approximately 30 per cent, LDL cholesterol was lowered by 25 per cent and triglyceride levels were lowered by more than 50 per cent.
Wang said that the results support evidence that show natural animal-based trans fat is different than harmful hydrogenated trans fat created through industrial processing.
"As the VA results illustrate, some natural trans fats are not harmful and may in fact be very good for you," she said.
