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  • Original Article
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Stearic acid is well absorbed from short- and long-acyl-chain triacylglycerol in an acute test meal

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 1352–1358 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Absorption of stearic acid from natural oils has been shown to be efficient, but it is claimed to be lower from short- and long-acyl-chain triacylyglycerol molecules (Salatrim). The aim was to measure the apparent absorption of stearic acid from Salatrim fat in an acute test meal.

Design:

Double–blind crossover study.

Subjects:

Ten healthy male volunteers, of whom eight completed the study.

Methods:

The subjects were studied on two occasions after consumption of a single high-fat meal either without (control) or with 30 g of Salatrim. Fecal samples were collected for 96 h after the meal and the fat was extracted for analysis of the content and composition of free and esterified long-chain fatty acids.

Results:

Baseline fecal fat was 5.6±2.6 g/day increasing to 10.4±4.9 g/day after addition of Salatrim (P=0.001). During the whole collection period, the baseline fecal free and esterified fatty acids were 2.6±2.3 and 0.8±0.7 g, respectively. After Salatrim meal the corresponding figures increased to 5.9±3.6 g (P=0.001) and 1.5 (±1.2) g (P=0.003), respectively. The total fecal stearic acid after control meal was 0.97±0.9 g. Consumption of Salatrim with 16.7±0.5 g of stearic acid increased the content to 3.12±1.6 g (P<0.001), with apparent absorption of 87%.

Conclusions:

The apparent absorption of stearic acid does not differ from its absorption from natural fats. The status of Salatrim as a low-energy fat substitute needs to be re-evaluated.

Sponsorship:

University of Turku.

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Acknowledgements

The study was fully sponsored by the University of Turku.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    S Tuomasjukka & H Kallio

  2. Geriatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    M Viitanen

Authors
  1. S Tuomasjukka
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  2. M Viitanen
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  3. H Kallio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S Tuomasjukka.

Additional information

Contributors: ST and HK were responsible for the design of the study. ST and MV organized and run the study. ST collected and analyzed the data and interpreted the results. All authors participated in discussion of the results. ST was the main writer of the manuscript.

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Tuomasjukka, S., Viitanen, M. & Kallio, H. Stearic acid is well absorbed from short- and long-acyl-chain triacylglycerol in an acute test meal. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 1352–1358 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602658

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