A factor in milk which influences cholestermia in rats.

Rats fed cholesterol show an adaptive response over several weeks with lowering of the initial rise of choleseremia to near normal levels. This reducation of cholesteremia is augmented by including milk powder in the diet. A similar effect is obtained by feeding 0.1% beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaric acid (HMG) in the diet. The evidence suggests that milk powder contains HMG.