Associations between dietary patterns and serum lipids, apo and C-reactive protein in an adult population: evidence from a multi-city cohort in South America

Abstract

Several previous epidemiological studies from developed countries have shown that an unhealthy dietary pattern affects plasma lipid levels and<br />inflammation biomarkers. We assessed the cross-sectional associations between dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk factors among 961<br />adults from a multi-city cohort in South America. We conducted a principal component analysis to derive dietary patterns. As outcomes, we<br />examined plasma levels of apo A-I, apo B, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), LDL-, HDL- and serum total cholesterol and TAG. The<br />crude and adjusted changes in each outcome were estimated for quartiles of dietary patterns using multivariable linear regression models. The<br />prudent pattern (PP) characterised by higher intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, whole cereal and low-fat dairy products was associated<br />with reduced plasma concentrations of apo B (−8·5mg/l), total cholesterol (−18·8 mg/dl) and LDL-cholesterol (−16·5mg/dl) and hs-CRP<br />(−1·6mg/l) in men. In women also reduced plasma concentrations of apo B (−6·6mg/l), total (−12·0mg/dl) and LDL (−9·3mg/dl). The ?Westernlike?<br />pattern characterised by higher intake of eggs, pastry and cakes, pizza, snacks, refined grains, red meat, vegetable oils and poultry was not<br />significantly associated with any of the selected serum lipid or inflammatory biomarkers. The explained variances were 10·3 and 7·4%,<br />respectively. The PP was associated with better lipid profile, mainly lower atherogenic particles (apo B) and LDL-cholesterol and serum total<br />cholesterol. This study provides possible evidence of a prudent diet in South American populations to help reduce the burden of CVD.