A low-protein diet exacerbates postprandial chylomicron concentration in moderately dyslipidaemic subjects in comparison to a lean red meat protein-enriched diet.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether altering energy intake as red meat protein or carbohydrate modifies chylomicron homeostasis and postprandial lipaemia.

DESIGN

Randomized single-blind dietary intervention trial.

SETTING

School of Public Health, Division of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.

SUBJECTS

A total of 20 moderately hypertriglyceridaemic but otherwise healthy subjects were recruited and completed the study.

INTERVENTION

Participants consumed an isocaloric weight maintenance diet low in protein (14, 53 and 30% of energy as protein, carbohydrate and fat, respectively) or high in protein (25, 35 and 30% energy as protein, carbohydrate and fat) for a period of 6 weeks. Fasting plasma lipids and postprandial lipoprotein studies (triglyceride and apolipoprotein B48) following an oral fat challenge were carried out at the start and conclusion of the dietary intervention period.

RESULTS

Consumption of the low- or high-protein diet had no significant effect on fasting plasma or postprandial lipaemia, the latter determined as the incremental area under the triglyceride curve following a fat challenge. However, subjects who consumed a low-protein diet for 6 weeks had a substantially exaggerated postprandial chylomicron response, indicated as the area under the apo B48 curve following a fat challenge. The change in postprandial chylomicron kinetics could not be explained by changes in insulin sensitivity, which appeared to be similar before and after intervention with either diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily moderate consumption of a lean red meat protein-enriched diet attenuates postprandial chylomicronaemia in response to ingestion of a fatty meal.