Dietary recommendations in the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease: do we have the ideal diet yet?

Author: Chahoud G, Aude YW, Mehta JL

Author affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock 72205-7199, USA.

Publication date & source: 2004.11.15, Am J Cardiol., 94(10):1260-7.

Publication type: Review

To respond to the question of the best "heart-healthy" diet, we reviewed the effects of common diets on lipids, their efficacy, advantages, and limitations. The high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is effective for weight loss over the short term, but its long-term benefits remain unproved. The very low-fat diet decreases levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and, with lifestyle modifications, may slow progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The high-protein and very low-fat diets are difficult to follow over the long term. The American Heart Association diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, decreases blood pressure and may be acceptable to most patients. However, it is rich in carbohydrates and may not be suitable for patients who are obese and/or have high levels of triglycerides. In such patients, diet based on foods with a low glycemic index may be an alternative. There is also immense interest in the Mediterranean diet, which is acceptable to most patients, may decrease some biomarkers of coronary atherosclerosis, and may decrease cardiovascular events and death. Despite these options, there is no "fits all" dietary recommendation for prevention of coronary heart disease. Importantly, dietary discretion is only 1 part of lifestyle changes, such as exercise and smoking cessation.