Bile acid and cholesterol excretion in human beings given soya-bean- and meat-protein-based diets: a study in ileostomy subjects.

1. The effect of partial replacement of meat protein with three different soya-bean-protein products on bile acid and cholesterol excretion was studied in seven ileostomy subjects. Four different tests diets containing 60 g meat, rice and bread protein, or a replacement of 250 g protein/kg total dietary protein by soya-bean protein from soya-bean flour, soya-bean concentrate or soya-bean isolate, were randomly assigned to the subjects in 2-d periods. 2. Ileostomy contents were collected at 2-h intervals during the day and in one portion during the night, and immediately deep-frozen to avoid bacteriological degradation. Bile acids and cholesterol were quantified by gas-liquid chromatography. 3. No difference in daily excretion of bile acids and cholesterol was noted between test diets. Ileostomy sterol concentrations were lower when soya-bean products were fed. 4. Incorporation of moderate amounts of soya-bean products in solid diets does not seem to affect short-term sterol balance in man.