What is Stearic Acid and what are its Functions
Stearic acid is a molecule with 18 carbon atoms belonging to the category of saturated fatty acids.
Although it is a long-chain saturated fatty acid, its atherogenic power is quite low, comparable to that of short-chain fatty acids. At the hepatic level, in fact, stearic acid undergoes a desaturation process which transforms it into oleic acid, thanks to the intervention of the Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase enzyme.
At high concentrations, oleic acid, abundant in olive oil, can cause a slight reduction in LDL and total cholesterol, leaving the good fraction (HDL) unchanged. Therefore, when it replaces an equal quantity of palmitic or palmitoleic acid in the diet, stearic acid possesses cholesterol-lowering properties (unfortunately, however, as shown in the table there are no foods particularly rich in stearic acid and at the same time poor in pamic acid). cardiovascular risk control, it is also necessary to focus on other dietary aspects (percentage of saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated fats, total calories, intake of simple sugars, alcohol, fiber, etc.) and behavioral (physical activity, smoking, stress, etc.) See also: cholesterol diet.
Stearic Acid Content in Foods
46.7
