Randomized parallel-group pilot trial (Best foods for your heart) comparing the effects of a Mediterranean Portfolio diet with a low saturated fat diet on HIV dyslipidemia

Year Published: 2020

Clare Stradling, G Neil Thomas, Karla Hemming, Stephen Taylor, Shahrad Taheri

"Mediterranean diets reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the effect is unknown in people living with HIV, who have an increased risk potentially due to the additional burdens of infection, inflammation and antiretroviral treatment (ART). We examined the feasibility of a 6-month dietary intervention in adults with HIV dyslipidemia using a sample size adequate to detect differences in LDL-cholesterol."

Key Findings: "We showed the feasibility of adopting a Mediterranean Portfolio diet in people living with HIV. Our findings suggest this intervention might equate to short term improvements in diet quality, blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol. Further definitive evaluations are required to determine if this is a viable strategy to facilitate cardiovascular risk reduction."