Short-term effect of two cholesterol-lowering diets on sterol excretion in ileostomy patients

The effect of two cholesterol-lowering diets (PUFA, LO) on the excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols, measured by GLC, was studied in six healthy ileostomates. The reference diet contained 100 g of fat and 13 g of dietary fiber. PUFA was increased in polyunsaturated fatty acids but fat level remained the same. LO was reduced in total fat with a concomitant increase in dietary fiber. Bile acid, net cholesterol, and net sterol excretion increased by 22%, 28%, and 24% (p less than 0.01), respectively, on PUFA. On LO, net cholesterol and net sterol excretion increased by 27% and 18% (p less than 0.01), respectively. Results support the concept of changes in sterol excretion as a mechanism for changes in blood-lipid levels induced by cholesterol-lowering diets.