Positive Health Online

Abstract

TEMPLE, Athabasca University, Alberta, Canada reviews (65 references) the role of diet and fat in the prevention and reversal of coronary heart disease (CHD). The author writes that vigorous dietary intervention is necessary to lower the serum cholesterol level by at least 6% and that greater decreases in serum cholesterol can actually reverse atherosclerosis. The critical dietary change is the reduction in intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, some of which fat may be replaced by unsaturated fats, particularly monounsaturated fat olive or canola oil. Fish and omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish may also be useful in the prevention of CHD. The beneficial effects of omega-3 fats take place within a few months and probably involve an anti-thrombotic effect. The intake of trans-fatty acids formed by the hydrogenation of oils should be reduced due to their association with CHD. Although hypolipidaemic drugs may be useful for people at very high risk of CHD, they should generally be avoided for primary prevention.

Background

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References

Temple NJ. Dietary fats and coronary heart disease. Biomed Pharmacother 50(67): 2618. 1996.