Body weight and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol changes after consumption of a low-fat ad libitum diet.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of a diet restricted in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, under weight-maintenance and ad libitum conditions on body weight and plasma lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects.


METHODS
Dietary intervention study.


METHODS
Twenty-seven free-living, healthy middle-aged and elderly men (n = 13, age range, 41 to 81 years) and women (n = 14, age range, 52 to 79 years) with moderate hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] > or = 3.36 mmol/L [130 mg/dL]) participated in the study.


METHODS
Subjects underwent three dietary phases. First, subjects were provided with a diet similar to the average US diet (baseline diet; 35.4% total fat, 13.8% to 14.1% saturated fat, and 30 to 35 mg/1000 kJ [128 to 147 mg/1000 kcal] cholesterol). During the second dietary phase, subjects consumed a low-fat diet (15.1% total fat, 5.0% saturated fat, 17 mg/1000 kJ [73 mg/1000 kcal] cholesterol). During the baseline and low-fat diet phases, which lasted 5 to 6 weeks each, the energy intake was adjusted to keep body weight constant. During the third diet phase (low-fat ad libitum diet) subjects were given the same low-fat diet for 10 to 12 weeks, but could adjust their intake between 66% and 133% of the energy required to maintain body weight.


METHODS
Body weight and plasma lipid levels.


RESULTS
Consumption of the low-fat diet under weight-maintenance conditions had significant lowering effects on plasma total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (mean change, -12.5%, -17.1%, and -22.8%, respectively). This diet significantly increased plasma triglyceride levels (+47.3%) and the TC/HDL-C ratio (+14.6%). In contrast, consumption of the low-fat ad libitum diet was accompanied by significant weight loss (3.63 kg), by a mean decrease in LDL-C (124.3%), and by mean triglyceride levels and TC/HDL-C ratio that were not significantly different from values obtained at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that a low-fat ad libitum diet promotes weight loss and LDL-C lowering without adverse effects on triglycerides or the TC/HDL-C ratio in middle-aged and elderly men and women with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides