Monounsaturated vs. Polyunsaturated

[roboboticus]

I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, but I'm trying to figure out the nutritional/health implications of a couple different safflower oils. High oleic safflower oil has lots of monounsaturated fats (oleic acid) and high linoleic safflower oil has lots of polyunsaturated fats (linoleic acid). Both are low in saturated fats and are touted as healthy, but I'd like to figure out which I should get for cooking (as well as seasoning cutting boards and skillets). I'm not trying to loose weight, but to keep fit and heart-healthy.

And if anyone knows a good nutrition forum on the web, please let me know

 

[Obsessed]

I believe the current thinking is that monounsaturated fats (e.g., olive oil, avocados) are more beneficial for heart health than polyunsaturated. I'm sure someone with more knowledge than I will be along to go into greater detail.

 

[chjome]

I'm not sure if this is the place to ask, but I'm trying to figure out the nutritional/health implications of a couple different safflower oils. High oleic safflower oil has lots of monounsaturated fats (oleic acid) and high linoleic safflower oil has lots of polyunsaturated fats (linoleic acid). Both are low in saturated fats and are touted as healthy, but I'd like to figure out which I should get for cooking (as well as seasoning cutting boards and skillets). I'm not trying to loose weight, but to keep fit and heart-healthy.

And if anyone knows a good nutrition forum on the web, please let me know

Monounsaturated fats raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Polyunsaturated fats lower HDL and LDL. Both are healthy in moderation.

 

[roboboticus]

That makes sense. I think I'm gonna go for the safflower oil that's high in polyunsaturated, as I already consume a fair amount of monounsaturated in the form of olive oil.

 

[dpmtherrien]

Monounsaturated fats raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Polyunsaturated fats lower HDL and LDL. Both are healthy in moderation.

Hmmmmm, and all this time I thought Polyunsaturated was a dry parrot.