It happens all the time: Some researchers will say one thing, and then other researchers will refute the original research results -- only to then put forth research results of their own (which usually is later refuted by other researchers -- and so on, and so on...). Such is the case with margarine and butter. As far as I have read up until recently, real butter seemed to be the healthier choice over margarine. However, information from a Dutch study revealed LDL cholesterol reducing properties in a specific type of margarine.

Perhaps the most intriguing part is that this reduction in LDL cholesterol occurred even in patients who were already taking cholesterol-reducing medication. In the study, patients who were regularly taking high-dose statins added a margarine enriched with 3 grams of plant sterols. At the end of 6 weeks, the patients experienced a 15 percent reduction in LDL beyond that already achieved with statins alone.