Saturated fats are typically are solid at room temperature. Butter, lard and palm oil have saturated fats. According to a recent study, even a single meal high in saturated fat can reduce the ability of the body's "good" cholesterol, i.e. high-density lipoproteins (HDL), to protect the inner lining of the arteries from inflammatory agents that promote the formation of artery-clogging plaques.
On the other hand, eating a meal high in polyunsaturated fat can increase the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL, helping to protect the inner lining of the arteries from plaque buildup.
The research, conducted at The Heart Research Institute in Sydney, Australia, appears in the Aug. 15, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Saurated fat impedes "good" cholesterol activity Reuters Mon Aug 7, 2006 5:59pm Meals hih in saturated fat impair 'good' cholesterol's ability to protect against clogged arteries EurekAlert Aug 7 2006.
