What are the Changes in Plasma Cholesterol if the Public follows AHAs Dietary Guidelines?
Based on the predictive equations generated from these meta-analyses, it can be estimated that a reduction in SFA intake from 13% to 10% of calories will lower plasma cholesterol by 5.7 mg/dl; an increase in PUFA intake from 7% to 10% of calories will lower cholesterol levels by 2.7 mg/dl; and a 100 mg/day decrease in dietary cholesterol will lower the plasma level by 2.2 mg/dl. Overall, modification of the present diet to one with 30% of calories as fat (10% SFA and 10% PUFA) and 300 mg/day cholesterol will lower plasma cholesterol levels by 10.6 mg/dl, a 5% reduction in the mean plasma cholesterol level of the population. These dietary changes would be predicted to lower plasma LDL cholesterol by 7 mg/dl and HDL cholesterol by 2 mg/dl. From epidemiological data it can be estimated that a 10 mg/dl reduction in plasma cholesterol would result in a 8% reduction in CVD risk [3].
