Comparative effects of lean- and high-fat meat or cereal diets on plasma lipids in the pig

Abstract

Adult male pigs were maintained either on a commercial pelleted cereal diet (P/S ratio 1.0; 8% of energy as fat) or on one of two diets based on animal protein (red meat) and respectively high (P/S ratio 0.3; 46% of energy) or low (P/S ratio 1.6; 13% of energy) in fat. The diets were fed isocalorically so that there were no differences in body weight or in plasma triacylglycerols or insulin. Plasma total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations did not differ in pigs fed the cereal diet or the low fat meat diet, but were significantly higher in animals fed the high fat meat diet. Plasma low density and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were also raised with increased consumption of saturated fat. The data show that the source of dietary protein had little influence on plasma lipids at low levels of fat intake and that the major factor affecting the plasma cholesterol concentration during meat consumption was dietary fat both in absolute terms and P/S ratio. Plasma cholesterol levels were no higher with a diet containing lean meat and plant products than with a diet consisting almost entirely of cereal grains.