The Mediterranean-type diet: is there a need for further modification?
The effects on plasma lipoproteins of four fat-modified diets were assessed in 11 nuns in a contemplative order in the Mediterranean region of Spain. Diet 1 [high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), low monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), low ratio of PUFAs to saturated fatty acids (P:S)] and diet 3 (low PUFA, high MUFA, low P:S) induced significant, directly comparable reductions in total plasma (12% and 13%, respectively) and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (24% and 19%, respectively). Diet 2 [high PUFA, high MUFA, low saturated fatty acid (SFA), high P:S] induced greater decrements (23% and 30% in total plasma and LDL cholesterol, respectively). Diet 4 (low PUFA, low MUFA, high SFA, low P:S) induced a significant increase in LDL cholesterol of 11%. No significant changes in high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol were observed with these diets. Because the effects of PUFAs and MUFAs are comparable, no recommendations on modifying the habitual, high-MUFA-containing Mediterranean diet need be made other than, perhaps, a reduction in the overall intake of SFAs.
Masana
L
L
Unitat Recerca de Lipids, Hospital Sant Joan, Facultat de Medicina de Reus, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
Camprubi
M
M
Sarda
P
P
Sola
R
R
Joven
J
J
Turner
P R
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C030106:very low density lipoprotein triglyceride; D002784:Cholesterol