Long-term effects of diet in the first year of life on cholesterol metabolism and atherosclerosis
1991
Deckelbaum, R.J.
Studies in the United States and Europe provide strong evidence that high levels of blood cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease. Still, before implementing intervention strategies for either populations or individuals at risk, information on the effectiveness of lowering blood cholesterol in diminishing the risk is required. In adults, such evidence is available; lowering blood cholesterol levels of individuals with high levels decreases morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease and may induce at least partial regression of atherosclerotic lesions already present in coronary vessels. Diets modified to reduce total fat intake and particularly saturated fat intake have been shown, in adults and children populations, to reduce total plasma and LDL cholesterol by about 15% in populations of both adults and children. These studies generally have been carried out in children over the age of 2. The National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference on Lowering Blood Cholesterol to Prevent Heart Disease states that, "we are persuaded that blood cholesterol levels of most Americans are undesirably high in large part because of our high dietary intake of calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol". Is there any evidence that changing dietary patterns in the first year of life, in fact, might protect against these factors at later ages?
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