Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 2010-03, Vol.91 (3), p.535-546
• Main Authors: Siri-Tarino, Patty W, Sun, Qi, Hu, Frank B, Krauss, Ronald M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: age; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; cardiovascular system; Cohort Studies; Coronary Disease - epidemiology; Coronary Disease - etiology; Coronary Disease - prevention & control; Diet - adverse effects; Dietary Fats - adverse effects; epidemiological studies; Epidemiology; estimation; Fatty Acids - adverse effects; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; heart diseases; human diseases; Humans; Medical research; men; Meta-analysis; Oils & fats; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; saturated fatty acids; Stroke; Stroke - epidemiology; Stroke - etiology; Stroke - prevention & control; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; women
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.27725

BACKGROUND: A reduction in dietary saturated fat has generally been thought to improve cardiovascular health. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence related to the association of dietary saturated fat with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD; CHD inclusive of stroke) in prospective epidemiologic studies. DESIGN: Twenty-one studies identified by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and secondary referencing qualified for inclusion in this study. A random-effects model was used to derive composite relative risk estimates for CHD, stroke, and CVD. RESULTS: During 5-23 y of follow-up of 347,747 subjects, 11,006 developed CHD or stroke. Intake of saturated fat was not associated with an increased risk of CHD, stroke, or CVD. The pooled relative risk estimates that compared extreme quantiles of saturated fat intake were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.19; P = 0.22) for CHD, 0.81 (95% CI: 0.62, 1.05; P = 0.11) for stroke, and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.11; P = 0.95) for CVD. Consideration of age, sex, and study quality did not change the results. CONCLUSIONS: A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD. More data are needed to elucidate whether CVD risks are likely to be influenced by the specific nutrients used to replace saturated fat.