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The Mediterranean-type diet: is there a need for further modification?
L Masana1, M Camprubi, P Sarda
1Unitat Recerca de Lipids, Hospital Sant Joan, Facultat de Medicina de Reus, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Dietary fats impact plasma cholesterol. High polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) diets reduced LDL cholesterol, while high saturated fatty acid (SFA) diets increased it. MUFAs and PUFAs showed comparable effects.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Dietary Fat Metabolism
Background:
- Plasma lipoproteins, including LDL and HDL cholesterol, are key indicators of cardiovascular risk.
- Dietary fat composition significantly influences lipoprotein profiles.
- The Mediterranean diet, typically high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), is associated with cardiovascular benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of four different fat-modified diets on plasma lipoprotein levels.
- To compare the impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and MUFAs on cholesterol.
- To assess the role of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and the PUFA to SFA ratio (P:S) in lipoprotein metabolism.
Main Methods:
- A controlled feeding study involving 11 nuns in Spain.
- Four diets were administered: Diet 1 (high PUFA, low MUFA, low P:S), Diet 2 (high PUFA, high MUFA, low SFA, high P:S), Diet 3 (low PUFA, high MUFA, low P:S), and Diet 4 (low PUFA, low MUFA, high SFA, low P:S).
- Plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were measured.
Main Results:
- Diets 1 and 3 significantly reduced total cholesterol (12-13%) and LDL cholesterol (19-24%).
- Diet 2 demonstrated greater reductions in total plasma and LDL cholesterol (23% and 30%, respectively).
- Diet 4 significantly increased LDL cholesterol by 11%. No significant changes in HDL cholesterol were observed across diets.
Conclusions:
- Both PUFAs and MUFAs effectively lower LDL cholesterol, with comparable effects.
- Increasing saturated fat intake (Diet 4) adversely affects LDL cholesterol levels.
- Current recommendations for modifying the Mediterranean diet should focus on reducing saturated fat intake rather than altering MUFA or PUFA levels.