Study title and authors:
Cholesterol, coconuts, and diet on Polynesian atolls: a natural experiment: the Pukapuka and Tokelau island studies
IA Prior, F Davidson, CE Salmond and Z Czochanska
Epidemiology Unit. Wellington Hospital. Wellington New Zealand, the Health Department, Wellington, New Zealand and the Chemistry Division, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand.
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ajcn.org/content/34/8/1552.abstract
The study investigated the effects of saturated fat in determining cholesterol levels and heart disease in two
populations of Polynesians (Pukapuka and Tokelau) living on atolls near the equator.
populations of Polynesians (Pukapuka and Tokelau) living on atolls near the equator. The study found:
(a) The diets in both Pukapuka and Tokelau are high in saturated fat.
(b) Tokelauans obtain a much higher percentage of energy from coconut than the Pukapukans, 63% compared with 34%, so their intake of saturated fat is higher.
(c) The cholesterol levels are 35 to 40 mg higher in Tokelauans than in Pukapukans.
(d) Heart disease was virtually non-existant in both groups.
(e) The migration of Tokelau Islanders to New Zealand was associated with an increased risk for heart disease. After migration their diets changed - They ate less saturated fat and more carbohydrate.
To conclude:
Both groups ate diets high in saturated fats - and had no heart disease.
Tokelauans ate more saturated fat, had higher cholesterol - and had no heart disease.
After migrating to New Zealand, Tokelauans ate less saturated fat and more carbohydrate - and suffered from heart disease.
