TABLE 3.
Example of application of the PICOS criteria regarding the research question: which oils/solid fats offer the greatest improvements in blood lipids?1
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Participants | Participants aged ≥18 y |
| Interventions (comparator) | Eligible types of intervention/comparison of ≥2 of the following oils/solid fats: • safflower oil • sunflower oil • canola oil • hempseed oil • flaxseed oil • olive oil • corn oil • soybean oil • palm oil • coconut oil • lard • beef fat • butter |
| Outcomes | Primary outcome: LDL cholesterol; Secondary outcomes: TC, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols |
| Study design | Randomized parallel or crossover intervention trials with minimum intervention period of 21 d |
1PICOS, participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design; TC, total cholesterol.