What is the deal with stearic acid?

Question

From what I can tell stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. However, some sites list it as a trans-fatty acid (particularly when it is used in supplement tablets). what kind of fat IS stearic acid? Is it good or bad? can it have more than one form? why does one site say its a saturated fat and good for you, but another says its a trans fat and very bad for you?

Please help with my confusion.

Answer 1

Stearic acid is a saturated fat, so it can't be a trans-fat. Trans fats are fats that are unsaturated in the trans configuration (as opposed to cis- configuration). Saturation is a word used to describe if there are double bonds or single bonds present in a compound. Stearic acid is said to be saturated because there are no double bonds present, so it is "saturated" with hydrogen bonds (the carbons bear the maximum amount of hydrogen bonds it can possess). It cannot have more than one form, then, since it is completely saturated.

While stearic acid is a saturated fat, and saturated fats should be limited, studies have shown that stearic acid does not raise LDL (the bad cholesterol) levels, and "desaturates" to oleic acid upon metabolism. Oleic acid is an unsaturated and has many health benefits associated with it.  

Answer 2

Stearic acid IS a saturated fat. The rumor/lie that it is a trans fat is based solely on uneducated or ignorant people/companies trying to focus on peoples fears in order to pawn their product. Read this article entitled "Myths about stearate risks" and it will answer all your question and scientifically dispute any internet lies.

http://honestnutrition.blogspot.com/