title: Are plant-based diets efficacious in lowering total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels?
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. and around the globe. A large body of literature accumulated over the past several decades has shown the benefit of lowering serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels to reduce cardiovascular risk. National guidelines suggest therapeutic lifestyle changes, beginning with diet, as a first step toward lowering TC and LDL-C. It has been suggested a plant-based, low fat diet can substantially reduce TC and LDL- C and thereby reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this review is to examine the state of the science regarding the efficacy of plant-based diets in reducing serum TC and LDL-C levels. While results of the research review indicate some benefit, strong evidence supporting the efficacy of plant-based diet in reducing atherogenic lipids is lacking.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis; Vascular Center Clinic, Sacramento, California. Electronic address: kathrine.ware@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
authors.forename: Kathrine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ware
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000451:nursing*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D010945:Plants, Edible; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol