Randy Chandler
Jarlsberg cheese has been the subject of many recent studies, particularly focusing on its health benefits. The cheese, which is a Swiss-type cheese made from cow's milk, originates from Norway and has been found to have unique properties that may improve bone health. The studies have suggested that the cheese may help prevent bone thinning and osteoporosis, as well as metabolic diseases, due to its high vitamin K2 content. However, some experts have advised caution in interpreting the results, stating that more research is needed to confirm the health benefits of Jarlsberg cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Osteoporosis prevention | May help prevent osteoporosis and osteopenia |
| Bone thinning | May help prevent bone thinning |
| Cholesterol | Does not increase harmful low-density cholesterol |
| Vitamin K2 | Rich in vitamin K2, which is important for bone health |
| Vitamin D | Contains vitamin D, which is important for bone health |
| Calcium | Contains calcium, which is important for bone health |
| Bone anabolic markers | May increase bone anabolic markers |
| Bone growth | May increase bone growth |
| Bone strength | May increase bone strength |
| Bone density | May increase bone density |
| Bone health | May improve bone health |
| Metabolism | May positively affect metabolism |
| Metabolic diseases | May help prevent metabolic diseases such as diabetes |
| Blood glucose | May decrease blood glucose levels |
| Blood fats | May increase blood fats |
| Cholesterol (continued) | May decrease cholesterol |
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What You'll Learn
Vitamin K2 content
Vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, is a vitamin that plays an important role in bone health. It is one of the fat-soluble compounds that make up the vitamin K family and is produced by bacterial fermentation in foods. Vitamin K2 is essential for the activation of Gla proteins, with osteocalcin being one of them. Osteocalcin is a protein unique to bones and is used as a measure of vitamin K status.
Jarlsberg cheese is a semi-soft Swiss-type cheese that has recently gained popularity due to its potential health benefits. It is made from cow's milk and originates from Norway. Studies have found that Jarlsberg is rich in vitamin K2, which is known to improve bone health. The cheese contains long-chained vitamin K2 and is particularly abundant in MK-9 and MK-9(4H) vitamers.
A study published in the BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health journal compared the effects of daily consumption of 57 grams of Jarlsberg cheese to Camembert cheese, which is poor in vitamin K2. The results showed that vitamin K2 levels increased significantly in the Jarlsberg group, while a reduction was observed in the Camembert group. After the Camembert group switched to Jarlsberg, their vitamin K2 levels also increased significantly.
The study found that the daily intake of Jarlsberg cheese led to increased levels of s-osteocalcin, a hormone associated with strong bones and teeth. This suggests that Jarlsberg may have a positive impact on bone growth and regeneration, potentially helping to prevent bone thinning and osteoporosis. However, it is important to note that the study was small and focused on healthy premenopausal women, so further research is needed to confirm these findings.
In summary, Jarlsberg cheese is a rich source of vitamin K2, which is essential for bone health. The vitamin K2 content in Jarlsberg may contribute to its potential health benefits, particularly in preventing bone-related issues.
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Osteoporosis prevention
Osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease, affects over 2 million women in England and Wales alone, causing about 180,000 fractures annually. While calcium and vitamin D are known to be crucial for bone health, vitamin K2 is another key factor in maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin K2, or menaquinone (MK), is a recommended osteoporosis treatment and is found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and cheese.
A small Norwegian study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health found that consuming 57 grams of Jarlsberg cheese daily may help prevent bone thinning and osteoporosis without negatively impacting cholesterol levels. Jarlsberg cheese is a semi-soft, nutty-flavoured cheese made from cow's milk, originating from Norway. The study showed that vitamin K2 levels increased significantly in participants who consumed Jarlsberg cheese daily, while other indicators of bone health fell slightly in the control group consuming Camembert cheese.
However, it is important to note that the results of this study should be interpreted with caution. While the study suggests that Jarlsberg cheese may help prevent osteopenia, the stage before osteoporosis, it does not directly measure bone mineral content or density. Additionally, some types of cheese can be high in saturated fat and salt, so it is essential to consider existing dietary recommendations when including cheese in your diet.
While the findings suggest that Jarlsberg cheese may be beneficial for bone health, more research is needed to confirm these effects. It is also important to remember that osteoporosis prevention involves following other dietary and lifestyle advice in addition to vitamin K2 intake.
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Bone health
A study published in the BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health journal in August 2022 has brought Jarlsberg cheese into the spotlight for its potential bone health benefits. The study found that consuming a daily portion of around 57 grams of Jarlsberg cheese could help prevent bone thinning without increasing harmful low-density cholesterol. This is due to the cheese's high content of vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, which is essential for bone formation and maintenance.
Vitamin K is a group of structurally similar, fat-soluble compounds that play a crucial role in bone health. One of its forms, vitamin K1, is commonly found in leafy green vegetables and Brassica plants like broccoli. On the other hand, vitamin K2, which is abundant in Jarlsberg cheese, is produced by bacterial fermentation and is found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and cheese. Vitamin K intake is associated with a lower risk of bone fracture, and vitamin K2, in particular, has been recommended in Japan for osteoporosis prevention.
The study compared the effects of Jarlsberg cheese to Camembert cheese, which has similar fat and protein levels but lacks vitamin K2. The results showed that while the Camembert group experienced a slight decline in bone health indicators, the Jarlsberg group exhibited increased levels of vitamin K2 and significant increases in markers of bone formation, such as type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), total osteocalcin (tOC), and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC). These markers indicate increased bone formation and renewal, suggesting that Jarlsberg cheese may have a stimulatory effect on bone health.
It is important to note that the study was relatively small and focused on healthy premenopausal women without bone disease. Additionally, the study did not provide evidence of changes in bone density or strength, which would require a longer duration. Further research is needed to confirm the bone health benefits of Jarlsberg cheese and to compare its effects with other similar cheeses.
While the findings suggest that Jarlsberg cheese may be beneficial for bone health, it should be consumed as part of a balanced diet that includes other nutrients essential for bone health, such as calcium and vitamin D. Additionally, individual genetics, lifestyle, and food availability may also play a role in bone health, and further studies are needed to understand the complex interplay between diet and bone health.
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Bone thinning
A study published in the BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health journal in August 2022 revealed that Jarlsberg cheese might help prevent bone thinning like osteoporosis without adversely affecting cholesterol. The study found that, unlike other cheeses, the daily intake of Jarlsberg increases s-osteocalcin levels. It contains DHNA and vitamin K2, which increase R0, cOC, tOC, a peptide involved in bone turnover called PINP, and decrease HbA1c, Ca++, and Mg++. These effects reflect increased bone anabolism and a possible reduced risk of adverse metabolic outcomes.
The study recruited 66 healthy female volunteers with an average age of 33 and an average weight. For 6 weeks, 41 participants were randomly assigned to consume 57 g of Jarlsberg every day, and 25 were assigned to consume 50 g of Camembert cheese and then switch to Jarlsberg for an additional 6 weeks. At regular intervals, the researchers took blood samples from all participants to check for osteocalcin, proteins, PINP, vitamin K2 levels, and blood fat levels.
The results showed that vitamin K2 vitamers increased significantly in the Jarlsberg group, from 0.38 ng/mL to 0.72 ng/mL. In the Camembert group, a significant reduction was detected. After the participants in the Camembert group switched to Jarlsberg, the amount of vitamin K2 increased significantly, from 0.41 ng/mL to 0.65 ng/mL. The Jarlsberg group also showed key signs of bones renewing themselves, with levels of PINP and other chemical and biological indicators of bone health rising significantly.
The study's findings suggest that Jarlsberg cheese might help prevent osteopenia, the stage before osteoporosis, as well as metabolic diseases such as diabetes. However, further research is needed to confirm these potential benefits. It is important to note that this was a small study in young and healthy people, and the results may not be representative of other groups.
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Osteocalcin levels
Osteocalcin is a protein that is unique to bone and is used as a measure of vitamin K status. Vitamin K is critical for bone health, and supplementation with vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, is a recommended osteoporosis treatment.
Jarlsberg cheese has been found to have a significant stimulatory effect on serum osteocalcin levels. In a study, participants who consumed 57 grams of Jarlsberg cheese daily for 6 weeks showed increased osteocalcin levels, while those consuming Camembert cheese showed no increase. The maximum efficacy dose (MED) of Jarlsberg cheese to increase osteocalcin levels was estimated to be 57 grams per day. This effect is not a general cheese effect, but specific to Jarlsberg cheese, due to its high vitamin K2 content.
The increase in osteocalcin levels indicates increased bone formation and may help prevent bone thinning and osteoporosis. However, it is important to note that the study was relatively small and focused on healthy premenopausal women without bone disease. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of Jarlsberg cheese on bone health in other populations and to determine if it can effectively prevent or treat osteoporosis.
While the findings suggest that Jarlsberg cheese may have bone health benefits, it is important to consume cheese as part of a balanced diet and not solely as a means to increase osteocalcin levels or improve bone health.
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Frequently asked questions
Jarlsberg cheese is rich in vitamin K2, which has been found to improve bone health. It may help to prevent bone thinning and osteoporosis.
Vitamin K is a family of compounds that play an important role in bone health. Vitamin K2, or menaquinone, is produced by bacterial fermentation in foods and is found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and cheese.
A daily portion of around 50-57 grams of Jarlsberg cheese is recommended to promote bone health.
Yes, Jarlsberg cheese may also help to prevent metabolic diseases such as diabetes. It has also been found to reduce the risk of adverse metabolic outcomes.
Yes, it is important to note that the studies conducted on Jarlsberg cheese have been relatively small and specific to healthy, premenopausal women without bone disease. More research is needed to confirm the health benefits for other populations. Additionally, the statistical approach and duration of the studies have been questioned, and further research is needed to determine the impact on bone density and strength.
