Role of milk fat globule membrane in the regulation of blood lipids in humans: a randomized trial (642.3)

Dairy fat has in general cholesterol raising effects due to its high content of saturated fat. Some studies however suggest differential effects of various dairy products on blood lipids. The presence or absence of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) might explain such discrepancies, possibly through the phospholipid content of MFGM, or its physical structure, or both. Some recent controlled supplementation studies have indicated that MFGM powder may counteract cholesterol raising effects. However no studies have tested foods that contain MFGM in its native form. We aimed to investigate the role of native MFGM on plasma lipoproteins, using common dairy foods. In a single-blinded, 8-week iso-caloric trial, fifty-seven overweight (mean BMI 28) but healthy men and women (mean age 58 years) were randomized to consume 40 g dairy fat/day with or without MFGM. All dairy products were provided and subjects were not allowed to consume any other dairy products during the study. Subjects visited the clinic weekly for w...