HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Stearic Acid

Study Abstract

Stearic acid (systematic name, octadecanoic acid, CH3(CH2)16COOH) is a long-chain fatty acid consisting of 18 carbon atoms without double bonds. Although it is classified as a saturated fatty acid (SFA), both biochemically and for purposes of nutrition labeling and dietary recommendations, data accumulated during the past 50 years indicate that stearic acid (C18:0) is unique among the SFAs in the food supply (1-4). Unlike other predominant long-chain SFAs – palmitic (C16:0), myristic (C14:0), and lauric (C12:0) acids - which increase blood cholesterol levels - stearic acid has been shown to have a neutral effect on blood total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels(1-5).

Stearic acid’s neutral effect on blood total and LDL cholesterol levels implies that this long-chain SFA may not increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. For this reason, it has been suggested that stearic acid not be grouped with other long-chain SFAs, although to dat

Study Information

Stearic Acid - A Unique Saturated Fat

2007 January

Full Study

http://www.beefnutrition.org/uDocs/stearic_acid_fs_r1.pdf