Full-fat Dairy Foods Research Articles

The impact of low-fat and full-fat dairy foods on symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease: an exploratory analysis based on a randomized controlled trial.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a widely prevalent condition. High consumption of dairy foods and dietary fat are associated with worse GERD symptoms. However, existing data are inconsistent and mostly based on observational studies. The purpose of this exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial was to investigate the impact of low-fat and full-fat dairy food consumption on GERD symptoms. Seventy-two participants with metabolic syndrome completed a 4-week wash-in diet during which dairy intake was limited to three servings of nonfat milk per week. Participants were then randomized to either continue the limited dairy diet or switch to a diet containing 3.3 servings per day of either low-fat or full-fat milk, yogurt and cheese for 12weeks. Here, we report intervention effects on the frequency of acid reflux, and the frequency and severity of heartburn, exploratory endpoints assessed by a questionnaire administered before and after the 12-week intervention. In the per-protocol analysis (n = 63), there was no differential intervention effect on a cumulative heartburn score (p = 0.443 for the time by diet interaction in the overall repeated measures analysis of variance). Similarly, the intervention groups did not differentially affect the odds of experiencing acid regurgitation (p = 0.651). The intent-to-treat analyses (n = 72) yielded similar results. Our exploratory analyses suggest that, in men and women with the metabolic syndrome, increasing the consumption of either low-fat or full-fat dairy foods to at least three servings per day does not affect common symptoms of GERD, heartburn and acid regurgitation compared to a diet limited in dairy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02663544, registered on January 26, 2016.

Cardiometabolic health benefits of dairy-milk polar lipids.

Low-quality dietary patterns impair cardiometabolic health by increasing the risk of obesity-related disorders. Cardiometabolic risk relative to dairy-food consumption continues to be a controversial topic, due to recommendations that endorse low-fat and nonfat dairy foods over full-fat varieties despite accumulated evidence that does not strongly support these recommendations. Controlled human studies and mechanistic preclinical investigations support that full-fat dairy foods decrease cardiometabolic risk by promoting gut health, reducing inflammation, and managing dyslipidemia. These gut- and systemic-level cardiometabolic benefits are attributed, at least in part, to milk polar lipids (MPLs) derived from the phospholipid- and sphingolipid-rich milk fat globule membrane that is of higher abundance in full-fat dairy milk. The controversy surrounding full-fat dairy food consumption is discussed in this review relative to cardiometabolic health and MPL bioactivities that alleviate dyslipidemia, shift gut microbiota composition, and reduce inflammation. This summary, therefore, is expected to advance the understanding of full-fat dairy foods through their MPLs and the need for translational research to establish evidence-based dietary recommendations.

Impact of low-fat and full-fat dairy foods on fasting lipid profile and blood pressure: exploratory endpoints of a randomized controlled trial

Dietary guidelines traditionally recommend low-fat dairy because dairy's high saturated fat content is thought to promote cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, emerging evidence indicates that dairy fat may not negatively impact CVD risk factors when consumed in foods with a complex matrix. The aim was to compare the effects of diets limited in dairy or rich in either low-fat or full-fat dairy on CVD risk factors. In this randomized controlled trial, 72 participants with metabolic syndrome completed a 4-wk run-in period, limiting their dairy intake to ≤3 servings/wk of nonfat milk. Participants were then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets, either continuing the limited-dairy diet or switching to a diet containing 3.3 servings/d of either low-fat or full-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese for 12 wk. Exploratory outcome measures included changes in the fasting lipid profile and blood pressure. In the per-protocol analysis (n=66), there was no intervention effect on fasting serum total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; triglycerides; free fatty acids; or cholesterol content in 38 isolated plasma lipoprotein fractions (P>0.1 for all variables in repeated-measures ANOVA). There was also no intervention effect on diastolic blood pressure, but a significant intervention effect for systolic blood pressure (P=0.048), with a trend for a decrease in the low-fat dairy diet (-1.6±8.6 mm Hg) compared with the limited-dairy diet (+2.5±8.2 mm Hg) in post hoc testing. Intent-to-treat results were consistent for all endpoints, with the exception that systolic blood pressure became nonsignificant (P=0.08). In men and women with metabolic syndrome, a diet rich in full-fat dairy had no effects on fasting lipid profile or blood pressure compared with diets limited in dairy or rich in low-fat dairy. Therefore, dairy fat, when consumed as part of complex whole foods, does not adversely impact these classic CVD risk factors. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02663544.

Application of Comparative Lipidomics to Elucidate Postprandial Metabolic Excursions Following Dairy Milk Ingestion in Individuals with Prediabetes.

Nutrient-dense dairy foods are an important component of a healthy diet. Recommendations, however, advise non- and low-fat dairy foods despite controversy concerning whether full-fat dairy foods adversely impact cardiometabolic health. Therefore, in this study, our objective is to examine the differential plasma lipidomic responses to non-fat or full-fat milk ingestion during postprandial hyperglycemia. Seven adults with prediabetes completed a randomized cross-over study in which glucose was consumed alone or with non-fat or full-fat dairy milk. Plasma samples collected at 90 min and 180 min post milk ingestion were used to perform untargeted lipidomics analysis. A total of 332 lipids from 20 classes and five lipid categories were detected at different time points during the postprandial period. Dairy milk, especially non-fat milk, protected against lipid changes otherwise induced by glucose ingestion. Co-ingestion of dairy milk with glucose, regardless of fat content, significantly altered lipid profiles although full-fat milk more substantially modulated lipid profiles. For the identified lipid biomarkers, 68.0% and 66.7% of the lipids significantly increased at 90 and 180 min, respectively, while phosphatidylcholines (GPs) contributed most for the significant increase. Comparative lipidomics analysis indicated that both types of dairy milk induced significant changes in several lipid pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism and α-linolenic acid metabolism, to protect against postprandial hyperglycemia. In summary, our comparative lipidomics results suggested that dairy milk-mediated lipid modulation may be an effective dietary approach to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases among those with prediabetes.

The impact of diets rich in low-fat or\\ full-fat dairy on glucose tolerance and its determinants: a randomized controlled trial

Dairy foods, particularly yogurt, and plasma biomarkers of dairy fat intake are consistently inversely associated with incident type 2 diabetes. Yet, few trials assessing the impact of dairy on glucose homeostasis include fermented or full-fat dairy foods. We aimed to compare the effects of diets rich in low-fat or full-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese on glucose tolerance and its determinants, with those of a limited dairy diet. In this parallel-design randomized controlled trial, 72 participants with metabolic syndrome completed a 4-wk wash-in period, limiting dairy intake to ≤3 servings/wk of nonfat milk. Participants were then randomly assigned to either continue the limited dairy diet, or switch to a diet containing 3.3 servings/d of either low-fat or full-fat dairy for 12 wk. Outcome measures included glucose tolerance (area under the curve glucose during an oral-glucose-tolerance test), insulin sensitivity, pancreatic β-cell function, systemic inflammation, liver-fat content, and body weight and composition. In the per-protocol analysis (n=67), we observed no intervention effect on glucose tolerance (P=0.340). Both the low-fat and full-fat dairy diets decreased the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI) (means±SDs -0.47±1.07 and -0.25±0.91, respectively) and as compared with the limited dairy group (0.00±0.92) (P=0.012 overall). Body weight also changed differentially (P=0.006 overall), increasing on full-fat dairy (+1.0 kg; -0.2, 1.8 kg) compared with the limited dairy diet (-0.4 kg; -2.5, 0.7 kg), whereas the low-fat dairy diet (+0.3 kg; -1.1, 1.9 kg) was not significantly different from the other interventions. Intervention effects on the Matsuda ISI remained after adjusting for changes in adiposity. No intervention effects were detected for liver fat content or systemic inflammation. Findings in intent-to-treat analyses (n=72) were consistent. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither dairy diet improved glucose tolerance in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Both dairy diets decreased insulin sensitivity through mechanisms largely unrelated to changes in key determinants of insulin sensitivity.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02663544.

Plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles confirm compliance to the dietary exchange of saturated with unsaturated fat in healthy men using full-fat or lower-fat dairy foods: results from the Reading, Imperial, Surrey, Saturated fat, Cholesterol Intervention (RISSCI) study

Plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles confirm compliance to the dietary exchange of saturated with unsaturated fat in healthy men using full-fat or lower-fat dairy foods: results from the Reading, Imperial, Surrey, Saturated fat, Cholesterol Intervention (RISSCI) study

Impact of Low-Fat and Full-Fat Dairy Intake on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives Dairy fat has been hypothesized to promote cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to its high saturated fat content, contributing to recommendations to consume low-fat dairy foods. However, emerging evidence indicates that dairy fat does not negatively impact CVD risk, particularly when consumed in foods with a complex matrix. Though, few trials have directly compared the effect of low-fat versus full-fat dairy foods. Therefore, we aimed to test the effects of diets rich in low-fat or full-fat dairy on CVD risk factors, compared to a limited dairy diet. We hypothesized that diets rich in dairy would not impact CVD risk factors. Methods Seventy-two participants with the metabolic syndrome completed a 4-week wash-in period; limiting their dairy intake to ≤ 3 servings of skim milk per week. Participants were then randomized to either continue the limited dairy diet or switch to a diet containing 3.3 servings per day of either low-fat or full-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese for 12-weeks. The plasma lipid profile and blood pressure were assessed before and after the intervention period. Results In the per protocol analysis (n = 66), there was no intervention effect on fasting plasma total-, low-density lipoprotein-, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, or cholesterol content in 38 isolated lipoprotein fractions (p > 0.1 for all variables). There was also no intervention effect on diastolic blood pressure. There was a significant difference among the diet interventions for systolic blood pressure (P = 0.045), with a trend for a decrease in the low-fat dairy diet compared to the limited dairy diet in post hoc testing after adjustment for multiple testing. Conclusions In individuals with the metabolic syndrome, consuming 3.3 servings of dairy per day, regardless of fat content, did not affect blood lipids and modestly improved blood pressure compared to a diet virtually free of dairy. This provides further evidence that dairy fat, when consumed as part of complex whole foods, does not significantly impact CVD risk factors. Funding Sources This work was supported by the National Dairy Council, Dairy Farmers of Canada, the Dutch Dairy Association, Dairy Australia, and the French Dairy Interbranch Organization.

Dietary patterns, food groups, and incidence of aortic valve stenosis: A prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe role of diet in the development of aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is unknown. We therefore examined the associations of two dietary patterns, including a modified Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (mDASH) diet and a modified Mediterranean (mMED) diet, and the food items included in these dietary patterns with incidence of aortic valve stenosis (AVS) in a population-based cohort study. MethodsThe study cohort comprised 74,401 Swedish adults (54% men) who were free of cardiovascular disease at the time of completion of a baseline questionnaire about habitual diet and other risk factors for chronic diseases. Participants were followed-up through linkage with nationwide registers on hospitalization and causes of death. ResultsDuring 1,132,617 person-years (mean 15.2 years) of follow-up, 1338 incident AVS cases (801 in men and 537 in women) were ascertained. We found no significant associations of the mDASH and mMED dietary patterns or the food groups and beverages included in these diets (i.e., fruit, vegetables, legumes and nuts, whole grains, fish, low-fat dairy foods, full-fat dairy foods, red and processed meat, and sweetened beverages) with risk of AVS. The hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of AVS per one standard deviation increase in the mDASH and mMED diet scores were respectively 1.02 (0.96–1.07) and 1.00 (0.95–1.06). ConclusionThis study found no evidence that diet plays a role in the development of AVS.

Moderating Nutritious Habits in Psychiatric Patients Using Transtheoretical Model of Change and Counseling.

This study was aimed to change nutritious behavior of psychiatric patients using a specific Model of Change and Counseling implementing a health education program. A quasi-experimental design was adopted on a random sample of 60 psychiatric patients at Military Hospital of Athens. Patients were divided into two groups as follows; (a) Intervention Group (four sessions of counseling and encouraging motivation for modification of their nutritious habits), and (b) Control Group (simple information sessions about the principles of healthy alimentation). The mean age of Intervention Group (IG) was 43.9±9.5 and Control Group (CG) 46.1±9.1, ranging from 40 to 55years old. Also, 26.7% of the participants were female, 23.3% were married and, 10% divorced. Our analyses showed that IG patients were significantly loss weight post-intervention compared to CG patients. Specifically, IG patients were significantly moderated the intake of starchy foods in every meal (p<0.001) and the intake of fruits and vegetables (p<0.001). Similarly, IG patients were moderated the intake of low fat dairy foods while they changed the full fat dairy foods with low fat (p<0.001). Also important, IG patients showed significant enhance (80%) regarding drugs compliance, suggesting that 34% of the CG patients often forgot to take their medication. Finally, IG patients reported a positive attitude towards moderating unhealthy nutritious behaviors (p=0.032). Our results confirms that health educational and promotional Interventions may change behavior of psychiatric patients and thus may positively influence their nutritious habits.

Specific plasma lipid classes and phospholipid fatty acids indicative of dairy food consumption associate with insulin sensitivity

Reports have suggested that the consumption of dairy foods may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes on the basis of evidence of raised circulating ruminant fatty acids. We determined whether certain phospholipid species and fatty acids that are associated with full-fat dairy consumption may also be linked to diminished insulin resistance. Four variables of insulin resistance and sensitivity were defined from oral-glucose-tolerance tests in 86 overweight and obese subjects with metabolic syndrome. Plasma phospholipids, sphingolipids, and fatty acids were determined by using a lipidomic analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to provide objective markers of dairy consumption. Food records provided information on dairy products. Associations were determined by using linear regression analyses adjusted for potential confounders age, sex, systolic blood pressure, waist:hip ratio, or body mass index (BMI) and corrected for multiple comparisons. Lysophosphatidylcholine, lyso-platelet-activating factor, and several phospholipid fatty acids correlated directly with the number of servings of full-fat dairy foods. Lysophosphatidylcholine and lyso-platelet-activating factor were also associated directly with insulin sensitivity when accounting for the waist:hip ratio (Matsuda index unadjusted, P < 0.001 for both; adjusted for multiple comparisons, P < 0.02 for both) and inversely with insulin resistance (fasting insulin unadjusted, P < 0.001 for both; adjusted, P = 0.04 and P < 0.05, respectively; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance adjusted, P = 0.04 for both; post-glucose insulin area under the plasma insulin curve during the 120 min of the test adjusted, P < 0.01 for both). The substitution of BMI for the waist:hip ratio attenuated associations modestly. Phospholipid fatty acid 17:0 also tended to be associated directly with insulin sensitivity and inversely with resistance. Variables of insulin resistance were lower at higher concentrations of specific plasma phospholipids that were also indicators of full-fat dairy consumption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00163943.

Effects of low-fat or full-fat fermented and non-fermented dairy foods on selected cardiovascular biomarkers in overweight adults

The association between consumption of full-fat dairy foods and CVD may depend partly on the nature of products and may not apply to low-fat dairy foods. Increased circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers after consumption of dairy product-rich meals suggest an association with CVD. In the present study, we tested the effects of low-fat and full-fat dairy diets on biomarkers associated with inflammation, oxidative stress or atherogenesis and on plasma lipid classes. Within full-fat dairy diets, we also compared fermented v. non-fermented products. In a randomised cross-over study, twelve overweight/obese subjects consumed during two 3-week periods two full-fat dairy diets containing either yogurt plus cheese (fermented) or butter, cream and ice cream (non-fermented) or a low-fat milk plus yogurt diet, with the latter being consumed between and at the end of the full-fat dairy dietary periods. The concentrations of six inflammatory and two atherogenic biomarkers known to be raised in CVD were measured as well as those of plasma F2-isoprostanes and lipid classes. The concentrations of six of the eight biomarkers tended to be higher on consumption of the low-fat dairy diet than on that of the fermented dairy diet and the concentrations of two plasmalogen lipid classes reported to be associated with increased oxidisability were also higher on consumption of the low-fat dairy diet than on that of the fermented dairy diet (P< 0.001), although plasma F2-isoprostane concentrations did not differ on consumption of any of the diets. On the other hand, the concentrations of plasma sphingomyelin and IL-6 were significantly higher on consumption of the non-fermented dairy diet than on that of the low-fat dairy diet (P< 0.02). In conclusion, short-term diets containing low-fat dairy products did not lead to a more favourable biomarker profile associated with CVD risk compared with the full-fat dairy products, suggesting that full-fat fermented dairy products may be the more favourable.

Dairy food intake in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among physically active young men

Is increased consumption of dairy foods associated with lower semen quality? We found that intake of full-fat dairy was inversely related to sperm motility and morphology. These associations were driven primarily by intake of cheese and were independent of overall dietary patterns. It has been suggested that environmental estrogens could be responsible for the putative secular decline in sperm counts. Dairy foods contain large amounts of estrogens. While some studies have suggested dairy as a possible contributing factor for decreased semen quality, this finding has not been consistent across studies. The Rochester Young Men's Study (n = 189) was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2009 and 2010 at the University of Rochester. Men aged 18-22 years were included in this analysis. Diet was assessed via food frequency questionnaire. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between dairy intake and conventional semen quality parameters (total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility, morphology and ejaculate volume) adjusting for age, abstinence time, race, smoking status, body mass index, recruitment period, moderate-to-intense exercise, TV watching and total calorie intake. Total dairy food intake was inversely related to sperm morphology (P-trend = 0.004). This association was mostly driven by intake of full-fat dairy foods. The adjusted difference (95% confidence interval) in normal sperm morphology percent was -3.2% (-4.5 to -1.8) between men in the upper half and those in the lower half of full-fat dairy intake (P < 0.0001), while the equivalent contrast for low-fat dairy intake was less pronounced [-1.3% (-2.7 to -0.07; P= 0.06)]. Full-fat dairy intake was also associated with significantly lower percent progressively motile sperm (P= 0.05). As it was a cross-sectional study, causal inference is limited. Further research is needed to prove a causal link between a high consumption of full-fat dairy foods and detrimental effects on semen quality. If verified our findings would mean that intake of full-fat dairy foods should be considered in attempts to explain secular trends in semen quality and that men trying to have children should restrict their intake. European Union Seventh Framework Program (Environment), 'Developmental Effects of Environment on Reproductive Health' (DEER) grant 212844. Grant P30 DK046200 and Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award T32 DK007703-16 from the National Institutes of Health. None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to declare.

Dairy Consumption and Risk of Stroke in Swedish Women and Men

Epidemiological studies of the associations of low-fat dairy and specific dairy food consumption with risk of stroke are sparse. Our aim was to examine the association between consumption of total, low-fat, full-fat, and specific dairy foods and risk of stroke in a prospective cohort study. We followed 74,961 Swedish women and men who were free from cardiovascular disease and cancer and who completed a 96-item food frequency questionnaire in 1997. Incident cases of stroke were ascertained from the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry. During a mean follow-up of 10.2 years, we ascertained 4089 cases of stroke, including 3159 cerebral infarctions, 583 hemorrhagic strokes, and 347 unspecified strokes. Consumption of low-fat dairy foods was inversely associated with risk of total stroke (P for trend=0.03) and cerebral infarction (P for trend=0.03). The multivariable relative risks for the highest compared with the lowest quintile of low-fat dairy consumption were 0.88 (95% CI, 0.80-0.97) for total stroke and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.78-0.98) for cerebral infarction. Consumption of total dairy, full-fat dairy, milk, sour milk/yogurt, cheese, and cream/crème fraiche was not associated with stroke risk. These results suggest that low-fat dairy consumption is inversely associated with the risk of stroke.

Circulating inflammatory and atherogenic biomarkers are not increased following single meals of dairy foods

Inflammation characterizes obesity and is nutritionally modifiable. The hypothesis of this study is that full-fat dairy foods influence circulating inflammatory and atherogenic biomarkers according to fermentation status. Thirteen overweight subjects participated in five test meals. Single breakfasts containing control low-fat milk or 45 g fat from butter, cream, yoghurt or cheese were tested over 3 weeks. Plasmas obtained 3 and 6 h were later analyzed for inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and high-sensitive C-reactive protein, and atherogenesis-related markers monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. A 4-week study in 12 subjects compared the effects on these biomarkers of diets containing ≈50 g dairy fat daily as either butter, cream and ice cream (non-fermented) or cheese plus yoghurt (fermented) dairy foods. In single-meal study, one outlier subject showed marked increments in biomarkers, hence the following results apply to 12. Within group analysis includes significant falls at 3 h in four inflammatory markers after cream, butter and low fat, and three atherogenesis-related biomarkers after cream. Changes were few after cheese and yoghurt. By 6 h, most values returned to baseline. However, between group analysis showed no differences between the five meals. The 4-week study showed no significant differences in fasting biomarker concentrations between non-fermented and fermented dairy diets. Single high-fat meals containing sequentially four different full-fat dairy foods did not increase eight circulating biomarkers related to inflammation or atherogenesis. Among subjects, significant falls occurred at 3 h in inflammatory biomarkers after cream and butter but were not specific for full-fat dairy foods. We could not confirm the reported increments in inflammation after fat meals.

Milk consumption, galactose metabolism and ovarian cancer (Australia).

It has been suggested that increased exposure to galactose, due to high consumption of dairy foods or reduced galactose metabolism, is associated with the development of ovarian cancer. We have investigated this in a large case-control study conducted in three Australian states between 1990 and 1993. Approximately 800 histologically-confirmed cases, 800 community controls and 300 controls recruited through breast-screening clinics completed dietary questionnaires. Approximately 100 cases and all breast-screening controls also provided a blood sample for analysis of galactose-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase (GALT). Ovarian cancer risk was positively associated with increasing consumption of whole milk and other full-fat dairy foods, but was not associated with consumption of low-fat dairy foods and was inversely related to consumption of skimmed milk. There was no association between ovarian cancer and GALT except among women with abnormally low GALT who had a non-significant 2.5-fold increased risk of ovarian cancer. These data do not support the hypothesis that galactose plays a major role in the development of ovarian cancer and suggest that reported associations between milk consumption and ovarian cancer are due to the fat content of milk and not to lactose or galactose. An increased risk of ovarian cancer in women with abnormally low levels of GALT cannot, however, be ruled out.