Effect of reduced-calcium and high-calcium cheddar cheese consumption on the excretion of faecal fat: a 2-week cross-over dietary intervention study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to test whether varying calcium content in cheese affects faecal fat excretion and blood lipid markers, particularly LDL-cholesterol.
Results Summary
The study found no significant difference in faecal fat excretion between diets but observed lower fasting LDL-c with high-calcium cheese. Faecal calcium excretion varied significantly across diets.
Population
7 healthy males with BMI 18-25.
Effective Dosage
240 g/day of cheese.
Duration
3 × 2-week periods.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High Calcium Cheese (HCC) diet | decrease | Fasting LDL-c | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | was significantly lower | #1 |
Reduced Calcium Cheese (RCC) diet | decrease | Faecal Ca | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | was lowest | #2 |
Reduced Calcium Cheese + CaCO3 (RCC + Supp) | increase | Faecal Ca | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | was greatest | #3 |
Reduced Calcium Cheese + CaCO3 (RCC + Supp) | increase | Percent fat of faecal excretion | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | was higher | #4 |
High Calcium Cheese (HCC) diet, Reduced Calcium Cheese (RCC) diet, Reduced Calcium Cheese + CaCO3 (RCC + Supp) | no change | faecal fat excretion (g/day) | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | was no significant difference | #5 |
High Calcium Cheese (HCC) diet, Reduced Calcium Cheese (RCC) diet, Reduced Calcium Cheese + CaCO3 (RCC + Supp) | no change | fasting blood parameters or changes in anthropometry | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | were no differences | #6 |
High Calcium Cheese (HCC) diet, Reduced Calcium Cheese (RCC) diet, Reduced Calcium Cheese + CaCO3 (RCC + Supp) | no change | individual fatty acids | 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) | - | were no differences | #7 |
PURPOSE: Studies show that dairy fat consumed in the form of cheese reduce LDL-cholesterol concentration (LDL-c) compared to butter and mechanistic suggestions include the calcium content of cheese leading to enhanced faecal fat excretion. The aim of this study was to test the effect of varying the calcium content within a cheese, on faecal fat excretion as a primary outcome, and blood lipid markers, fasting glucose and calcium excretion as secondary outcomes. METHODS: 7 healthy males (BMI 18-25) participated in this randomized, cross-over control intervention, of 3 × 2 week periods. Diets contained 240 g/day cheese; a High Calcium Cheese (HCC) diet, a Reduced Calcium Cheese (RCC) diet, and a control arm: Reduced Calcium Cheese + CaCO RESULTS: There was no significant difference in faecal fat excretion (g/day) between the diets (P = 0.066). Percent fat of faecel excretion was higher after RCC + Supp (P = 0.016). None of the individual fatty acids were different. Fasting LDL-c was significantly lower following the HCC diet vs. the other arms (P = 0.002). Faecal Ca was different across all diets (P = 0.001), lowest after RCC, and greatest after RCC + Supp. No differences were observed for fasting blood parameters or changes in anthropometry. CONCLUSION: Varying the calcium content within a cheese matrix significantly affected fasting LDL-c values. Results did not support higher faecal fat excretion as an underlying mechanism, but the high attrition rate was a limitation. Trial registerer Trial Registered at ISRCTN.org, registration number ISRCTN11663659 on 12.07.2022. Retrospectively registered.