Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Department/Program

MSPA

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-23-2025

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether a plant-based diet in comparison to an omnivorous diet is effecting in the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), and body mass index (BMI) in adults over 18 with hyperlipidemia.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies included adults over 18 with diet interventions lasting at least 8 weeks with an endpoint including lipid profiles. Keywords used were "plant-based diet," "vegan," "hyperlipidemia," "LDL," "cholesterol," and "cardiovascular disease."

Results: The majority of studies showed that plant-based diets are associated with reduction in LDL-C, TC, and BMI. Results for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were mixed. Limitations included variable definitions of plant-based diets, small sample sizes, short durations, and heterogeneity in design.

Conclusion: Plant-based diets are an effective strategy for improving lipid profiles, particularly LDL-C. While not consistently superior to omnivorous diets in all measures, they offer benefits in reducing cardiovascular risk factors. These diets should be considered a valuable option in preventative and therapeutic dietary planning, especially when tailored to patient preferences and sustainability. Further long-term studies are warranted to evaluate their effect on cardiovascular outcomes.

Keywords: Plant-based diet, LDL cholesterol, cardiovascular risk, vegan diet, total cholesterol, body mass index

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