Q. Monounsaturated fatty acids required for dyslipidemia?

Polyunsaturated fatty acids also have a cholesterol decreasing effect. Omega 3 fatty acids are excellent for the heart as they:

1. Reduce platelet aggregation and monocyte adherence

2. Mode plasma lipids, and

3. Lower blood pressure

To sum up, we now know that saturated fats and dietary cholesterol increase the level of LDL and cholesterol in the blood. If there is a decrease of 1% calories from SFA, the blood cholesterol level decreases by 3 mg/dl. The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are good as they decrease the LDL levels and cholesterol in the blood. The polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) decrease LDL levels. Thus, the energy provided from fats should remain less than 30% of the total calories; of which saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids each should provide less than 10% of the total calories; while mono-unsaturated fatty acids may provide the remaining i, e. > 10% of the total calories.