The Interrelation of Calcium and Fat Utilization in the Growing Albino Rat

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Abstract
Excellent growth was obtained from diets containing 5, 15 and 28% fat, but 45% of fat in the diet resulted in less growth and in the excretion of a larger number of fecal pellets. The utilization of calcium decreased moderately and consistently in the order of the increasing fat content of the diets from 5 to 28%, and then decreased considerably for the 45% fat diet. A more acid condition in the intestine resulted from the 5% fat diet than from the diets richer in fat. The utilization of calcium paralleled the acidity of the intestinal tract, the most efficient utilization accompanying the most acid reaction. The most efficient calcium utilization was obtained from the diet containing 1 gm. of fat to 0.06 gm. of calcium; and the efficiency of the utilization of calcium decreased in the order of the increase in the ratio of fat to calcium in the diets. The data are discussed in relation to various theories advanced to explain the physiological relationship between fat and calcium; and it is suggested that at least two factors are involved: (1) the acidity of the intestinal tract, and (2) the formation of readily absorbable bile-fatty acid-calcium complexes.
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