The effect of pasture-fed vs total mixed ration (TMR)-fed cheese on circulating fatty acid concentrations in middle-aged, overweight adults

The dairy matrix is thought to be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of cheese compared to butter, despite having a high saturated fatty acid (SFA) content. Cheese derived from pasture-fed cows has been shown to have increased concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, compared to cheese derived total mixed ration (TMR)-fed cows. In n 58 middle-aged, overweight adults, circulating total SFA were significantly lower following consumption of pasture-fed vs TMR-fed cheese (−3.87 ± 1.09 vs −2.69 ± 0.79 % total fatty acids, P = 0.038) after 6-weeks when consumed at a dose of 120 g/day. Behenic acid (C22:0, P = 0.015) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n- 3, P = 0.004) decreased to a greater extent following pasture-fed vs TMR-fed cheese. However, these were no longer significant after Bonferroni correction. No other differences were observed between the intervention groups, including blood cholesterol concentrations. Further work with a longer duration and different doses is warranted. • Cheese has favourable effects on cardiometabolic health, compared to butter. • The dairy herd diet can impact the fatty acid composition of dairy foods. • Pasture-fed cheese may be more favourable to human cardiometabolic health than total mixed rations-fed cheese. • Studies of longer duration and greater doses are warranted.