Effects of lowering fat and increasing dietary fiber on fasting and postprandial plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of reducing fat and increasing or not increasing dietary fiber in subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet. Thirty-one free-living, mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects were randomly allocated to two groups. Subjects in both groups first shifted for 4 wk to a low-fat, low-fiber diet (LFLFD). For an additional 4-wk period, subjects in group 1 continued consuming the LFLFD whereas subjects in group 2 consumed a low-fat, high-fiber diet (LFHFD). Most dietary fatty acids were monounsaturated (38-41%) and fibers, when provided (up to 35 g/d), came from unrefined cereals, legumes, and soluble-fiber-enriched ready-to-eat cereals. After period 1 of the LFLFD, mean serum and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations of subjects in groups 1 (-12.5% and -15.5%, respectively) and 2 (-10.5% and -15.5%, respectively) decreased significantly from baseline (P < 0.05). After period 2, mean serum and LDL-cholesterol concentrations of subjects consuming the LFLFD (group 1) were still lower (by 8.8% and 9.2%, respectively, from baseline) whereas in subjects consuming the LFHFD (group 2) these values decreased further to significantly lower values (14.2% and 17.6% from baseline, respectively). Fasting hi,oh-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, glycemia, and insulinemia did not change significantly. In seven men, postprandial lipemia transiently increased more after a breakfast test meal at the completion of the LFHFD period than after the LFLFD period. In conclusion, an LFHFD more comparable with the traditional Mediterranean diet may improve the dietary management of moderate hypercholesterolemia.