High consumption of red meat is related to cardiovascular diseases. Red meat containing more unsaturated fat than normal red meat may have a beneficial impact on plasma lipid and fatty acid profile in humans. Furthermore, consumption of red meat and especially processed red meat is considered harmful to colon health. However, consumption of fruit and berries rich in antioxidants and flavonoids may provide protection when red meat is consumed. The study aims to answer whether the fatty acid profile of pork when modified towards more unsaturated fat will affect plasma fatty acids and lipids in adult volunteers. The effects of pork with a modified fatty acid content is compared with conventional pork with lower unsaturated fat content. Fatty acid composition of pork is modified by altering the composition of animal feed. The other arm of the study investigates the effects of consuming berries together with red meat on gut metabolism. The study focuses on how berries affect the formation of fecal compounds known to be related to high red meat consumption, such as N-nitroso compounds.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
65
Pork with modified fatty acid composition
Pork with normal fat composition
Pork with normal fat composition and Finnish berries
Division of Nutrition, University of Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland
Change in plasma fatty acids as a measure of dietary fatty acid modification
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in fecal nitroso compounds as a measure of increased (processed) red meat consumption
Measured as apparent total nitroso compounds (ATNC)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Genotoxicity testing of human fecal water in 3D cell culture
Fecal water is isolated from fecal samples collected before and after the intervention period from arms B and C. The samples are tested for markers of genotoxicity in 3D cell culture.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Changes in plasma lipids as a measure of dietary modification
Concentrations of and changes in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides are measured before and after the intervention period
Time frame: 4 weeks
Concentration of polyphenolics in fecal water as a measure of consumption of berries
The polyphenol content of the fecal water is assessed from arms B and C
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in hemoglobin as a measure of dietary modification
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in blood pressure as a measure of dietary modofcation
Blood pressure is measured before and after the study period.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Weight development during the study period
The subjects are weighed before and after the study and their weight is monitored weekly during the study
Time frame: 4 weeks
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