In monounsaturated fatty acids, only one double bond is found along the chain. Monounsaturated fatty acids are found in olive, canola, peanut and sesame oils. They are also found in avocados, peanuts and cashews. Monounsaturated fat is typically liquid in room temperature.
The fat in macadamia nut oil is 85 percent monounsaturated with a predominance of the heart-healthy oleic acid.
Oleic acid and also omega-3s lower triglyceride levels and raise HDL cholesterol, a very protective combination.
Cholesterol replacing saturated and trans-fats with monounsaturated fat such as olive oil may be effective dietary strategy to prevent heart disease.
Monounsaturated fats (omega-9s) are central to the Mediterranean diet that has been shown as the key factors in cardio-protection. Olive oil is a typical and quantitatively important food in Mediterranean countries, where the incidence cardiovascular heart disease was very low.
Monounsaturated fatty acids raise HDL levels even more than polyunsaturated fatty acids and also lower LDLs. In addition they prevent the oxidation of LDLs, which reduces the likelihood that LDLs will become part of atherosclerotic plaque.
What are the health benefits of monounsaturated fat?
