Randomized trial of the effects of cholesterol-lowering dietary treatment on psychological function.
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiological studies have suggested that cholesterol lowering could affect psychological functioning. This study was designed to test whether cholesterol-lowering diets adversely affect mood and cognitive function.5.2 mM [198 mg/dL]) to either a low-fat diet, a Mediterranean diet, or a waiting-list control. Cholesterol levels, psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, hostility), and cognitive function were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Total serum cholesterol levels fell significantly more in the intervention groups (8.2% reduction) than in the control group (P <0.001). All three groups showed a modest improvement in psychological well-being during the 12-week treatment period, but there were no differences among the groups. There were no between-group differences on three measures of cognitive function, but for a fourth measure, which involved the task with the greatest processing load, the two intervention groups did significantly worse (P <0.001) than the control group. The change in performance was correlated with the change in total serum cholesterol level (r = 0. 21, P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Two dietary interventions that successfully lowered serum cholesterol levels had no adverse effect on mood. There was some evidence for a relative impairment in cognitive function in the treated groups in one of four cognitive tests, but additional studies will be required to determine the relevance of this finding.
Wardle
J
J
ICRF Health Behaviour Unit (JW, MT, LR, KNP), Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Rogers
P
P
Judd
P
P
Taylor
M A
MA
Rapoport
L
L
Green
M
M
Nicholson Perry
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001835:Body Weight; D003071:Cognition; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids