Carbohydrate intake and HDL in a multiethnic population
Anwar T Merchant1, Sonia S Anand, Linda E Kelemen
1Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada. anwar.merchant@post.harvard.edu
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|January 9, 2007
Summary
Dietary carbohydrate intake influences lipid levels. Higher carbohydrate consumption is linked to lower HDL cholesterol and higher triacylglycerols, suggesting dietary adjustments may benefit ethnic lipid differences.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Ethnic Health Disparities
Background:
- Ethnic variations in serum lipids are not fully explained by genetics, adiposity, lifestyle, or diet.
- Dietary carbohydrate intake has been a neglected factor in understanding these ethnic lipid differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between carbohydrate consumption and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triacylglycerol levels.
- To assess these associations within a multiethnic Canadian population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 619 participants of Aboriginal, South Asian, Chinese, and European descent.
- Dietary intake, including energy-adjusted carbohydrate consumption, was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels (P < 0.01).
- Increased carbohydrate consumption correlated with higher fasting triacylglycerol concentrations (P = 0.04).
- Reduced intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, juices, and snacks showed a positive association with higher HDL levels (P for trend = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- Carbohydrate intake may partially explain ethnic differences in HDL and triacylglycerol levels.
- Limiting the consumption of sugar-sweetened products could be a beneficial dietary strategy for improving lipid profiles.
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