Stearic acid metabolism and atherogenesis: history.

Studies conducted in dogs, rats, and hamsters show that stearic acid or stearic acid-rich glycerides are absorbed less efficiently than are lauric, myristic, and palmitic acids or their triglycerides. This observation may explain in part why stearic acid is less cholesterolemic than saturated fatty acids of shorter chain length. In rabbits, cocoa butter or other fats rich in stearic acid are less atherogenic than other saturated fatty acids. This finding is true for both cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets.