The Medi-RIVAGE study: reduction of cardiovascular disease risk factors after a 3-mo intervention with a Mediterranean-type diet or a low-fat diet.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Epidemiologic studies link Mediterranean-type diets to a low incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, few dietary intervention studies have been undertaken, especially in primary prevention.

OBJECTIVES:

In the Mediterranean Diet, Cardiovascular Risks and Gene Polymorphisms (Medi-RIVAGE) study, the effects of a Mediterranean-type diet (Med group) or a low-fat diet (low-fat group) on risk factors were evaluated in 212 volunteers (men and women) with moderate risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

DESIGN:

After the 3-mo dietary intervention, changes in many risk factors were evaluated. Dietary questionnaires and plasma nutritional markers were used to test compliance.

RESULTS:

Although the dietary goals were only partially reached, changes in dietary habits were observed in both groups (n = 169): protein, carbohydrate, and fiber intakes increased and fat quality (decreased saturated fat and increased monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat) improved. BMI, total and triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) cholesterol, triacylglycerols, TRL triacylglycerols, apolipoproteins A-I and B, insulinemia, glycemia, and the homeostasis model assessment score were significantly lower after 3 mo. The reductions in total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and insulinemia remained significant after adjustment for BMI. There was a trend for a diet-by-time interaction for LDL cholesterol (P = 0.09). Our data predicted a 9% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk with the low-fat diet and a 15% reduction with this particular Mediterranean diet.

CONCLUSION:

After a 3-mo intervention, both diets significantly reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors to an overall comparable extent.

• Authors: Stephanie Vincent-Baudry, Catherine Defoort, Mariette Gerber, Marie-Christine Bernard, Pierre Verger, Olfa Helal, Henri Portugal, Richard Planells, Pascal Grolier, Marie-Josephe Amiot-Carlin, Philippe Vague, Denis Lairon
• Journal: The American journal of clinical nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr) Vol. 82 Issue 5 Pg. 964-71 (Nov 2005) ISSN: 0002-9165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16280426 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Insulin
• Triglycerides
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Body Mass Index
• Cardiovascular Diseases (blood, epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Diet, Fat-Restricted
• Diet, Mediterranean
• Female
• Humans
• Insulin (blood)
• Lipid Metabolism (genetics, physiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Compliance
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Primary Prevention (methods)
• Risk Factors
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Triglycerides (blood)