Studies of a surfactant and cholesteremia in the Maasai

Abstract

A group of 24 young Maasai men was divided into two groups of 12 and fed fermented milk for 21 days. The treatment group received 10 mg of Tween 20/g fat in the milk and the controls received an olive oil placebo additive. Contrary to expectation, the levels of blood cholesterol were decreased in both groups. The intake of milk was excessive in both groups so that many of the men gained weight rapidly. The extent of weight gain was inversely related to change of cholesteremia. This large intake of milk leading to a decrease of cholesteremia despite the gain of weight suggested the existence of a factor in milk which lowers cholesteremia. This factor overwhelms the hypercholesteremic effects of surfactants previously demonstrated in experimental animals.