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Australian Family Physician
Australian Family Physician

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Volume 38, Issue 6, June 2009

Dietary intervention to lower serum cholesterol

John Litt Claire Hewat Peter Clifton David Colquhoun Peter Jones Manny Noakes Richard O’Brien Bill Shrapnel Murray Skeaff
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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.
Discussion
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.

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Printed from Australian Family Physician - https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2009/june/lower-serum-cholesterol
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