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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169357
Title: DIETARY PROTEIN TYPE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS

Author
item VEGA-LOPEZ, SONIA - TUFTS/HNRCA
item LICHTENSTEIN, ALICE - TUFTS/HNRCA

Submitted to: Preventive Cardiology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2004
Publication Date: 1/1/2005
Citation: Vega-Lopez, S., Lichtenstein, A.H. 2005. Dietary protein type and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Preventive Cardiology. Winter;8(1):31-40.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Numerous studies have evaluated the effect of dietary protein type on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Observational studies suggested a negative association between vegetable protein intake and CVD risk. For the most part, intervention studies comparing the effect of fish to other forms of animal protein have resulted in inconsistent outcomes. In some cases it was difficult to separate the effect of protein type from the effect of omega-3 fatty acids endogenously present in the fish. The majority of intervention studies have evaluated the effects of soy protein compared to animal protein, often casein, on CVD risk factors. Relative to casein, the effects on lipids and lipoprotein concentrations attributable to soy protein have been variable and less dramatic than originally reported in the mid-1990's. When compared to animal protein other than casein, relatively large intakes of soy protein (25 g or more per day) appear to have a consistent, albeit small, hypocholesterolemic effect. Small differences in the fatty acid profile of the diet cannot be ruled out at this point as the putative factor. No consistent effect attributed to soy protein on other CVD risk factors, including Lp(a) concentrations, inflammatory markers, biomarkers of oxidative stress and endothelial function have been reported. To date, the available data assessing the effects of dietary protein type on plasma lipids and lipoproteins levels and CVD risk factors are limited and inconsistent, and do not explain the purported protective role of vegetable proteins gleaned from observational studies.