'The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners'
Abstract
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.Peter Clifton, David Colquhoun, Claire Hewat, Peter Jones, John Litt, Manny Noakes, Richard O'Brien, Bill Shrapnel, Murray Skeaffhttp://www.racgp.org.au/scriptcontent/search/afpsearchresults.cfm?cx=000337812831128799297%3Acwnpztvg-0a§ion=Australian_Family_Phys&cof=FORID%3A11&searchterm=Dietary+intervention+to+lower+serum+cholesterol&x=67&y=1
