Quantitative Estimation of Diets to Control Serum Cholesterol

Abstract

The serum cholesterol responses of men to alterations of the fatty acid and cholesterol composition of their diets have been described by previously published, empirical equations derived from data on groups of middle-aged men, under metabolic ward conditions. A nomograph is here presented, constructed from these equations, to facilitate the estimation of serum cholesterol changes to be expected from specific fatty acid and dietary cholesterol changes. The nomograph can also be used to estimate dietary lipid changes required to effect a predetermined serum cholesterol change. A listing of foods is given, with lipid compositions in additive units, such that daily intakes can be readily computed and either applied directly to the nomograph or derived from it. This material is communicated as an interim tool for the approximate prediction of dietary and serum cholesterol changes, and for evaluation and eventual improvement of predictive accuracy.