Ann Nutr Metab. 1996 ; 40(4): 202-11.

Elimination of meat, fish, and derived products from the Spanish-Mediterranean diet: effect on the plasma lipid profile.

Delgado M, GutiÃ©rrez A, Cano MD, Castillo MJ.

Department of Physiology, (School of Medicine), University of Granada, Spain.

The effect of eliminating all animal (meat and fish) products except eggs and milk products from the current Spanish-Mediterranean diet was studied in 14 healthy subjects. This dietary manipulation decreased saturated and monounsaturated fat, protein, and cholesterol intakes. During the 2-month intervention period, a decrease in total plasma cholesterol concentrations (4.53 +/- 0.13 vs. 4.29 +/- 0.13 mmol/l, p < 0.05) was observed, mostly as a result of decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (1.66 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.08 mmol/l, p < 0.05). The decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (2.51 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.43 +/- 0.13 mmol/l) did not reach statistical significance. Nevertheless, there was a significant association between the decrease in cholesterol intake and the decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = 0.719, p < 0.01). The decrease in protein intake was also correlated with the decrease in total cholesterol levels (r = 0.629, p < 0.05). Body weight and lean body mass were not modified during the study. Maximal aerobic power and maximal oxygen consumption were not significantly affected by the diet manipulation. In conclusion: a 2-month change from the current Spanish-Mediterranean diet to an ovolactovegetarian diet in young healthy persons decreases total plasma cholesterol levels, but mainly due to a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.