Substituting red meat with high-quality plant protein sources results in favourable changes in blood lipids and lipoproteins
A recent meta-analysis of 36 randomised controlled trials, representing 1803 participants, compared diets with red meat with diets that replaced red meat with a variety of foods on various cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Comparison diets were stratified into high-quality plant protein sources (legumes, soya, nuts); chicken/poultry/fish; fish only; poultry only; mixed animal protein sources (including dairy); carbohydrates (low-quality refined grains and simple sugars, such as white bread, pasta, rice, cookies/biscuits); or usual diet.
Relative to all comparison diets combined, red meat consumption had no differential effects on total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, apolipoproteins A1 and B, or blood pressure, but resulted in lesser decreases in triglyceride concentrations.
However, in analyses stratified by type of comparison diet, substituting red meat with high-quality plant foods (i.e. soya, nuts, and legumes), but not with fish or low-quality carbohydrates, led to more favourable changes in total cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations.
These findings underscore the importance of considering the comparison diet interventions as a determinant of the relative effects of red meat on CVD risk factors.
Related stories
- Saving the PASS system for the sake of England’s FH Services, for current and future generations
- The national Child Parent Screening Service (CPSS) pilot has been extended until October 2024
- Alternative cascade-testing protocols for identifying and managing patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia: systematic reviews, qualitative study and cost-effectiveness analysis
- how the NHS is working to deliver improved lipid management
- HEART UK 36th Annual Medical and Scientific Conference 2023 LIPIDS – THE BEST YET - CONFERENCE REVIEW
- Our new Lipidology Podcast
- Recently formed Lipoprotein(a) Taskforce publishes Call to Action to increase recognition and acceptance of Lp(a) as an ASCVD risk factor
- Lipoprotein (a) disorder gets SNOMED codes
- Would you like to update your knowledge of lipid management and have the opportunity to liaise with others working in this area?
- Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Gene Testing One-Day Online Workshop - Dates for 2023