title: Dietary intervention to lower serum cholesterol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dietary intervention to lower serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) is effective, yet underutilised in general practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report summarises the findings of an expert roundtable convened to review the evidence relating to dietary interventions to lower serum LDL-C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions that lower LDL-C lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Comprehensive dietary intervention is indicated in all patients with an absolute 5 year risk for coronary disease of 10% or greater. Short term trials indicate that these interventions have the potential to lower LDL-C by approximately 20%. A year long trial has shown mean LDL-C lowering of 13%, with about one-third of subjects achieving a reduction greater than 20%, highlighting the importance of adherence to dietary advice. The most effective dietary strategies are replacing saturated and trans fatty acids with poly- and monounsaturated fats and increasing intake of plant sterols. Losing weight and increasing soluble fibre and soy protein intake can also lower serum cholesterol and may be considered when recommending a nutritionally balanced, cholesterol lowering diet. Motivational interviewing by general practitioners can improve the effectiveness of brief, behaviour orientated advice and dietary counselling to lower serum cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition, Adelaide, South Australia. peter.clifton@csiro.au
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clifton
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Colquhoun
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hewat
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Litt
authors.forename: Manny
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noakes
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shrapnel
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skeaff
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003376:Counseling; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL