Abstract
A diet high in animal fat is often linked to metabolic diseases like obesity. Nonetheless, the potential benefits associated with moderate consumption of animal fats are often underestimated. Here, we sought to compare the effects of moderate consumption of three types of fats/ oils-lard, camellia seed oil, and peanut oil-on body fat deposition. Unlike studies on high-fat diets, moderate lard intake significantly decreased lipid accumulation compared with vegetable oils in mice. Mechanistically, moderate lard intake elevated the level of serum taurocholic acid (TCA), which promoted the expression of genes related to lipolysis and the polarization of M2 macrophages in adipose tissue. In vitro experiments further confirmed the molecular mechanism underlying TCA's ability to attenuate lipid accumulation in adipocytes while promoting macrophage polarization. These results challenge traditional views on animal fats, showing that consuming lard at recommended levels can benefit metabolism by maintaining adipose tissue balance.