A Defined, Plant-based, 4-week Dietary Intervention Reduces Lp(a) and Other Atherogenic Particles

Lipoprotein(a) is a carrier of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and is a particularly atherogenic biomarker. Lp(a) has been previously documented to be resistant to dietary therapies and its concentration is thought to be determined by genes. A plant-based diet has not been previously used in an attempt to influence the concentration of Lp(a).

Participants were instructed to follow a defined, plant-based dietary intervention for four weeks. All animal products were excluded. Cooked foods, free oils, soda, alcohol, and coffee were also to be excluded. All meals and snacks were provided to the participants for the full duration of the intervention. Emphasized were raw fruits and vegetables, while seeds, avocado, raw oats, raw buckwheat, and dehydrated foods were prepared as condiments. Vitamin, herbal, and mineral supplements were to be discontinued unless otherwise clinically indicated. Participants were not advised to alter their exercise habits.

Serum biomarkers were obtained from participants at baseline and after 4-weeks.

Inclusion criteria

• Body Mass Index ≥25.0 kg/m^2
• Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration ≥100
• Systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90

Exclusion criteria

• Tobacco use
• Drug abuse
• Excessive alcohol consumption (>2 glasses of wine or alcohol equivalent per day for men or >1 glass of wine or alcohol equivalent for woman)
• Current cancer diagnosis
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mg/dL
• Clinically defined infection
• Mental disability
• Hospitalization <6 months
• Previous exposure to plant-based diet