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Effect on hematologic risk factors for coronary heart disease of a cholesterol reducing diet

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 483–492 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

A dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering ingredients has proved effective in reducing serum cholesterol. However, it is not known whether this dietary combination will also affect hematologic risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Reductions in hematocrit and polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been reported to improve cardiovascular risk. We, therefore, report changes in hematological indices, which have been linked to cardiovascular health, in a 1-year assessment of subjects taking an effective dietary combination (portfolio) of cholesterol-lowering foods.

Methods:

For 12 months, 66 hyperlipidemic subjects were prescribed diets high in plant sterols (1.0 g/1000 kcal), soy protein (22.5 g/1000 kcal), viscous fibers (10 g/1000kcal) and almonds (23 g/1000kcal). Fifty-five subjects completed the study.

Results:

Over the 1 year, data on completers indicated small but significant reductions in hemoglobin (−1.5±0.6 g/l, P=0.013), hematocrit (−0.007±0.002 l/l, P<0.001), red cell number (−0.07±0.02 109/l, P<0.001) and neutrophils (−0.34±0.13 109/l, P=0.014). Mean platelet volume was also increased (0.16±0.07 fl, P=0.033). The increase in red cell osmotic fragility (0.05±0.03 g/l, P=0.107) did not reach significance.

Conclusions:

These small changes in hematological indices after a cholesterol-lowering diet are in the direction, which would be predicted to reduce CHD risk. Further research is needed to clarify whether the changes observed will contribute directly or indirectly to cardiovascular benefits beyond those expected from reductions previously seen in serum lipids and blood pressure.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Canada Research Chair Endowment of the Federal Government of Canada, the Canadian Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Loblaw Brands Limited, the Almond Board of California and Unilever Canada and Unilever Research & Development, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. We thank Ms Kathy Galbraith of Natural Temptations Bakery, Burlington, ON for her assistance on this project, and to the study participants for their attention to detail and enthusiasm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Nutrition & Risk Factor Modification Center, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D J A Jenkins, C W C Kendall, T H Nguyen, A Marchie, A Y Taha, D A Faulkner, J M W Wong, R de Souza, A Emam, C Holmes, R G Josse, L A Leiter & W Singer

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D J A Jenkins, J Teitel, R G Josse, L A Leiter & W Singer

  3. Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D J A Jenkins, C W C Kendall, T H Nguyen, A Marchie, A Y Taha, D A Faulkner, J M W Wong, R de Souza, A Emam, R G Josse, L A Leiter & W Singer

  4. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    D J A Jenkins, J Teitel, R G Josse, L A Leiter & W Singer

  5. Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    M Chiu

  6. Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    M Chiu

  7. Dewsbury and District Hospital, UK

    T Kemp

  8. Unilever Food and Health Research Institute, Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, The Netherlands

    E A Trautwein

  9. The Almond Board of California, Modesto, California, USA

    K G Lapsley

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Correspondence to D J A Jenkins.

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Guarantor: DJA Jenkins.

Contributors: DJAJ, CWCK and DAF contributed to study concept and design. DJAJ, CWCK, THN, JT, AM, MC, AYT, DAF, TK, AM, JMWW, RdeS, AE, CH, RGJ, LAL and WS contributed to acquisition of data. DJAJ, CWCK, THN, JT, MC, DAF, TK, RGJ, LAL, WS contributed to analysis and interpretation of data. DJAJ, CWCK, THN contributed to drafting of the paper. DJAJ, CWCK, THN, JT, AM, MC, AYT, DAF, TK, AM, JMWW, RdeS, AE, EAT, KGL, CH, RGJ, LAL and WS contributed to critical revision of the paper for important intellectual content. MC contributed to statistical expertise. DJAJ and CWCK contributed to obtained funding. THN, JT, AM, AYT, DAF, JMWW, RdeS, AE, EAT, KGL, CH, RGJ, LAL and WS contributed to administrative, technical or material support. DJAJ, CWCK and DAF contributed to study supervision.

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Jenkins, D., Kendall, C., Nguyen, T. et al. Effect on hematologic risk factors for coronary heart disease of a cholesterol reducing diet. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 483–492 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602551

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