Conclusions Plant-based diets are associated with decreased total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , but not with decreased triglycerides .
Context Although a recent meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials showed that adoption of a vegetarian diet reduces plasma lipids , the association between vegetarian diets and long-term effects on plasma lipids has not been subjected to meta- analysis .
Objective The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of observational studies and clinical trials that have examined associations between plant-based diets and plasma lipids .
Divergent changes in serum sterols during a strict uncooked vegan diet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The effects of a strict uncooked vegan diet on serum lipid and sterol concentrations were studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis . The subjects were r and omized into a vegan diet group ( n 16 ) , who consumed a vegan diet for 2 - 3 months  ,  or  into  a control group ( n 13 )  , who continued their usual omnivorous diets .  Serum total and LDL-cholesterol and -phospholipid concentrations were significantly decreased by the vegan diet . The levels of serum cholestanol and lathosterol also decreased , but serum cholestanol : total cholesterol and lathosterol : total cholesterol did not change . The effect of a vegan diet on serum plant sterols was divergent as the concentration of campesterol decreased while that of sitosterol increased . This effect result ed in a significantly greater sitosterol : campesterol value in the vegan diet group than in the control group ( 1.48 ( SD 0.39 ) v. 0.72 ( SD 0.14 ) ; P < 0.001 ) . A higher concentration of campesterol compared with sitosterol is normal in omnivorous subjects and can be explained by lower absorption and esterification rates of sitosterol . Our results suggest that a strict uncooked vegan diet changes the relative absorption rates of these sterols and /or their biliary clearance
Conclusions Plant-based diets are associated with decreased total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , but not with decreased triglycerides .
Context Although a recent meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials showed that adoption of a vegetarian diet reduces plasma lipids , the association between vegetarian diets and long-term effects on plasma lipids has not been subjected to meta- analysis .
Objective The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of observational studies and clinical trials that have examined associations between plant-based diets and plasma lipids .