Dairy fat in cheese raises LDL cholesterol less than that in butter in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether dairy fat in cheese raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as much as in butter, since epidemiology suggests a different impact on cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
A randomised crossover trial testing the daily consumption of 40 g dairy fat as butter or as matured cheddar cheese, each of 4 weeks duration, was preceded by and separated by 2-week periods when dietary fat was less saturated.


METHODS
Free-living volunteers.


METHODS
A total of 14 men and five women of mean age 56+/-8 y, with mean total cholesterol of 5.6+/-0.8 mmol/l.


METHODS
Plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triacylglycerol and glucose.


RESULTS
Saturated fat intake was significantly lower during the run-in than during the cheese and butter periods. Mean lipid values did not differ significantly between the cheese and run-in periods, but total cholesterol and LDL-C were significantly higher with butter: total cholesterol (mmol/l): butter 6.1+/-0.7; run-in 5.6+/-0.8 (P < 0.05; ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment); vs cheese 5.8+/-0.6 (P > 0.05); median LDL-C (mmol/l): butter 3.9 (3.5-4.1) vs run-in 3.4 (3.0-4.1) (P < 0.05; Tukey test); vs cheese 3.7 (3.3-3.9) (P > 0.05). Among 13 subjects whose initial LDL-C was >4 mmol/l, the difference between butter (4.4+/-0.3 mmol/l) and cheese (3.9+/-0.3 mmol/l) was significant (P = 0.014). HDL-C was highest with butter and triacylglycerol with cheese (neither was significant).


CONCLUSIONS
A total of 40 g dairy fat eaten daily for 4 weeks as butter, but not as cheese, raised total and LDL cholesterol significantly compared with a diet containing significantly less saturated fat. Dietary advice regarding cheese consumption may require modification.
Nestel
P J
PJ
Baker Heart Research Institute (Wynn Domain), Melbourne, Australia. paul.nestel@baker.edu.au
Chronopulos
A
A
Cehun
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002079:Butter / Q000032:analysis*; D002611:Cheese / Q000032:analysis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides; D002079:Butter; D002784:Cholesterol