Abstract
Low plasma level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was an independent risk factor for cardio vascular disorder, and associated with poor outcomes in pulmonary arterial hypertension. To compare the effects of vegetarian diets and omnivorous diets on HDL-c in plasma, we identified cross-sectional and cohort studies related to HDL-c listed on PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge as well as the corresponding references (until Nov, 2013). Twelve studies with a total of 4177 individuals were selected for meta-analysis. This meta-analysis indicates that vegetarian diets did not alter plasma HDL-c concentrations, as it wasn’t initially expected by the authors [Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = 0.02 mmol/l; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.19 to 0.22 mmol/l]. In Asia and Latin America countries, no significant differences in HDL-c levels between vegetarians and omnivores were found (SMD = −0.09 mmol/l; 95% CI: −0.43 to 0.25 mmol/l). In Europe and North America countries, the plasma level of HDL-c was also not different between the two diets (SMD = 0.09 mmol/l; 95% CI: −0.19 to 0.36 mmol/l). In light of this meta-analysis, we conclude that there is no evidence that plasma HDL-c levels differs in vegetarians and omnivores, even after adjusting for cultural circumstances.
Highlights
Dyslipidemia is a condition often associated with coronary heart diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and stroke [1,2,3]
Vegetarians have diminished risk of developing dyslipidemia. This may be due to their lower saturated fats consumption and higher fiber intake, which results in a reduction in the concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), a major cardiovascular disease risk factor [5]
A recently study when vegans were compared to omnivorous subjects shown functional aspects of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and defective chylomicron removal and VLDL remnants from the plasma may be affected by dietary habits [7]
Summary
Dyslipidemia is a condition often associated with coronary heart diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and stroke [1,2,3]. It is a common public health problem worldwide, and imposes a significant demand on medical care and health services because of its high prevalence in the general population. Vegetarians have diminished risk of developing dyslipidemia This may be due to their lower saturated fats consumption and higher fiber intake, which results in a reduction in the concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), a major cardiovascular disease risk factor [5]. It was estimated that 11% of the US men had low HDL-c levels [11]
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