Plant-based nutrition lowers LDL cholesterol: new study results
Plant-based nutrition lowers LDL cholesterol: new study results
In a recently carried out study in February 2024, it was examined how a cholesterol -lowering diet affects cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the blood that is vital, but can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high quantities. In particular, a special nutritional score was developed that assesses compliance with a cholesterol -lowering diet. The score is based on the adherence to seven dietary indicators and varies between 0 (no adherence) and 7 (maximum adherence).
The study focused on patients with breast cancer who were part of the Dedica study. The nutritional score of these patients was determined using a 7-day nutrition protocol. In addition, your serum lipid profile, including overall cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)
The results showed that patients with a high nutritional score (i.e. a score of ≥ 4) showed lower LDL-C values than those with a score between 0 and 1. Specifically, the median of the LDL-C value in patients with high score was 107 mg/dl compared to 122 mg/dl at low score. It was also found that compliance with such a diet is connected to a lower percentage of women, the LDL-C of which is above the recommended limit of 116 mg/dl-60.0% at low and 42.6% with high adherence to the nutritional score.
Interestingly, the score correlated directly with the consumption of vegetable food, but only showed a moderate association with the "Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index" (R-Spearman = 0.51) and the "Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener" (R-Spearman = 0.30).Analysis of possible future effects:
The study suggests that a special cholesterol-lowering diet that is rich in vegetable food can actually lower LDL cholesterol in the blood. This could lead to a change in current nutritional guidelines, especially for people with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases or those who want to actively lower their cholesterol levels. In the context of prevention and management of breast cancer, this knowledge could also play a role by offering an additional nutritional strategy for patients.
Explanation of basic terms:
- cholesterol: A wax -like substance in the blood that is necessary for the structure of cells, but can be harmful to health in high concentrations.
- LDL-C: low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it can contribute to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries.
- adherence: The extent in which the behavior of a person, including compliance with nutrition recommendations, meets the agreed recommendations of a health service provider.
- Dedica study: A scientific examination (the name is fictional and serves as a placeholder).
Influence of the diet on the serum lipid profile for breast cancer patients
summary of research
The latest research suggests that a high adherence to a cholesterol-lowering diet, measured by a specially developed nutritional score, correlates significantly with lower LDL cholesterol values (low-density lipoprotein) for breast cancer patients. The use of such a nutritional score could thus be an effective tool to improve the serum lipid profile and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in this patient group.
methodology of the study
The nutritional score is based on the dietary portfolio theory for cholesterol reduction and evaluates compliance with seven dietary indicators. Patients with breast cancer enrolled in the Dedica study were assessed by a 7-day diet protocol and their serum lipid profile, including total cholesterol and LDL-C, were measured at the beginning of the study.
results
- Patients with a high adherence to cholesterol-lowering diet (score ≥ 4) showed lower middle LDL-C values (107 mg/dl) compared to women with low adherence (score 0-1) (122 mg/dl) (p <0.01).
- 60.0% of women with a score of 0-1 had LDL-C values above the recommended limit of 116 mg/dl, compared to 42.6% of women with a score ≥ 4.
- A direct correlation was identified between the nutritional score and the consumption of vegetable foods, whereby this was only moderately associated with the healthful plant-based diet index (r-spearan = 0.51) and the Mediterranean Diet adherence screener (R-Spearman = 0.30).
conclusions
The results underpin the importance of a specific plant-based nutritional pattern that can be identified via the newly developed nutritional score to reduce the LDL cholesterol values for breast cancer patients. These findings expand the current understanding of the role of nutrition in cardiovascular health specific patient groups and emphasize the need for targeted dietary advice and intervention.
Source: study on the connection between diet and serum lip profile