Variation in plasma cholesterol response to dietary change.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have suggested that some individuals show an appreciably larger change in total cholesterol in response to dietary change (hyper-responders) than others (minimal responders), and also that some people are more likely to respond consistently. We have examined the role of individual dietary compliance in determining total cholesterol response to changes in the nature of dietary fat.


RESULTS
Participants completed a randomised double dietary crossover trial with a diet high in saturated fat and a diet high in polyunsaturated fat. Each period continued for four weeks without washouts. Plasma lipoproteins were measured at the end of each period. Dietary compliance was assessed by change in the reported polyunsaturated:saturated fat ratio calculated from three-day diet records, and change in polyunsaturated fat intake, determined by change in plasma triglyceride linoleate. A wide range of individual responses was observed with no evidence of two distinct populations of hyper- and minimal responders. Variation in response to the three crossovers appeared to be due mainly to variation in compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study do not support earlier suggestions of two separate populations of hyper and minimal responders to change in the nature of dietary fat, rather there is a graded range of response. In a free-living population, the extent to which individuals comply with dietary advice varies considerably and this contributes to the magnitude of cholesterol response as well as consistency on repeated dietary challenges.
Wallace
A J
AJ
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Mann
J I
JI
Sutherland
W H
WH
Williams
S
S
Chisholm
A
A
Skeaff
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D014280:Triglycerides