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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #361442
Title: Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: a science advisory from the American Heart Association

Author
item CARSON, JO ANN - University Of Texas
item LICHTENSTEIN, ALICE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item ANDERSON, CHERYL - University Of California
item APPEL, LAWRENCE - Johns Hopkins University
item KRIS-ETHERTON, PENNY - Pennsylvania State University
item MEYER, KATIE - American Heart Association
item PETERSEN, KRISTINA - American Heart Association
item POLONSKY, TAMAR - American Heart Association
item VAN HORN, LINDA - Northwestern University

Submitted to: Circulation
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2019
Publication Date: 12/16/2019
Citation: Carson, J.S., Lichtenstein, A.H., Anderson, C.A., Appel, L.J., Kris-Etherton, P.M., Meyer, K.A., Petersen, K., Polonsky, T., Van Horn, L. 2019. Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: a science advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The elimination of specific dietary cholesterol recommendations in recent guidelines has raised questions regarding its role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This advisory was developed following a review of human studies on the relationship of dietary cholesterol with blood lipids, lipoproteins, and CVD risk to resolve questions regarding the relevance of dietary cholesterol guidance for heart health. Evidence from observational studies of dietary cholesterol conducted in several countries generally does not indicate an association with CVD risk. While meta-analyses of intervention studies differ in their findings, most associate higher levels of dietary cholesterol with an increased blood level of total and/or LDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, dietary guidance should focus on a healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, lean protein sources, nuts, seeds, and liquid vegetable oils. Adherence to this dietary pattern will typically lead to a dietary cholesterol intake that does not exceed the current average intake in the U.S. (293 mg/day). Translation of specific levels of dietary cholesterol and other nutrients are challenging for clinicians and consumers; hence guidance focused on food-based dietary patterns is more likely to improve overall diet quality and lower dietary cholesterol intake.