Elimination of meat, fish, and derived products from the Spanish-Mediterranean diet: effect on the plasma lipid profile.
The effect of eliminating all animal (meat and fish) products except eggs and milk products from the current Spanish-Mediterranean diet was studied in 14 healthy subjects. This dietary manipulation decreased saturated and monounsaturated fat, protein, and cholesterol intakes. During the 2-month intervention period, a decrease in total plasma cholesterol concentrations (4.53 +/- 0.13 vs. 4.29 +/- 0.13 mmol/l, p < 0.05) was observed, mostly as a result of decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (1.66 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, p < 0.05). The decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (2.51 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.43 +/- 0.13 mmol/l) did not reach statistical significance. Nevertheless, there was a significant association between the decrease in cholesterol intake and the decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = 0.719, p < 0.01). The decrease in protein intake was also correlated with the decrease in total cholesterol levels (r = 0.629, p < 0.05). Body weight and lean body mass were not modified during the study. Maximal aerobic power and maximal oxygen consumption were not significantly affected by the diet manipulation.


CONCLUSIONS
a 2-month change from the current Spanish-Mediterranean diet to an ovolactovegetarian diet in young healthy persons decreases total plasma cholesterol levels, but mainly due to a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Delgado
M
M
Department of Physiology, (School of Medicine), University of Granada, Spain.
Gutiérrez
A
A
Cano
M D
MD
Castillo
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D013030:Spain; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol