Plant-Based Diets Linked to Lower Cholesterol, LDL-C, and Apo B

A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that vegetarian and vegan diets were consistently associated with reduced concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (Apo B). The study included 30 randomized controlled trials published between 1980 and October 2022. Compared with omnivorous diets, the plant-based diets reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and Apo B levels with mean differences of −0.34 mmol/L, −0.30 mmol/L, and −12.92 mg/dL, respectively. The effect sizes were similar across age, continent, duration of study, health status, intervention diet, intervention program, and study design. No significant difference was observed for triglyceride levels. The findings are in line with previous studies. Apo B-containing lipoprotein particles are atherogenic and blood LDL is the most abundant apo B-containing lipoprotein particle. Alterations in absolute LDL-C concentrations are proportional to risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Source: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj