Men who eat a diet relatively high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats have a reduced risk of developing gallstones, according to a report in the October 5th issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Unsaturated fats have been shown to inhibit the develop of cholesterol-related gall stones in animal studies. However, it has been unclear if a diet high in unsaturated fats could reduce the long-term risk of gallstone disease in humans.

To investigate, Dr. Chung-Jyi Tsai, from the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, and colleagues analyzed data from 45,756 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The men were free from gallstone disease when the study began in 1986. Food-frequency questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the study and every 2 years thereafter.

During follow-up through 2000, a total of 2323 new cases of gallstone disease were recorded, the authors note.

The researchers found that the risk of gallstone disease among men who had the highest levels unsaturated fat in their diets was 18 percent lower than men with the lowest levels. The risk reductions seen with the highest levels of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats were 16 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

“Although the optimal amount of unsaturated fat intake is still unknown, our findings support the notion that, in dietary practice, a higher intake of…unsaturated fats can confer health benefits,” the researchers conclude.

SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, October 5, 2004.