The Asian Ethnic Paradox: Differences in Dietary Fat Intake and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Iranian and Indian Young-Elderly Populations

Effects of α-linolenic acid intake on blood lipid profiles：a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

To investigate the effect of ALA intake on blood lipid profiles, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) and ratio of TC to HDL-C. We systematically searched randomized controlled trials of ALA intervention on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and related references up to March 2018. The final values were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD) by using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Generalized least square was performed for dose-response analysis. Forty-seven studies with 1305 individuals in the ALA arm and 1325 individuals in the control arm were identified. Compared with control group, dietary intake of ALA significantly reduced the concentrations of TG (WMD -0.101 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.158 to -0.044 mmol/L; P = 0.001), TC (WMD -0.140 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.224 to -0.056 mmol/L; P = 0.001), LDL-C (WMD -0.131 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.191 to -0.071 mmol/L; P < 0.001), VLDL-C (WMD -0.121 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.170 to -0.073 mmol/L; P < 0.001), TC/HDL-C ratio (WMD -0.165 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.317 to -0.013 mmol/L; P = 0.033) and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (WMD -0.158 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.291 to -0.025 mmol/L; P = 0.02). There is no effect of ALA intake on HDL-C (WMD 0.008 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.018 to 0.034 mmol/L; P = 0.541). Dose-response analysis indicated that 1 g per day increment of ALA was associated with a 0.0016 mmol/L, 0.0071 mmol/L, 0.0015 and 0.0061 mmol/L reduction in TG (95% CI: -0.0029 to -0.0002 mmol/L), TC (95% CI: -0.0085 to -0.0058 mmol/L), HDL-C (95% CI: -0.0020 to -0.0011 mmol/L) and LDL-C (95% CI: -0.0073 to -0.0049 mmol/L) levels, respectively. The effects of ALA intake on TG, TC and LDL-C concentrations were more obvious among Asian participants, and also more obvious on patients with hyperlipidemia or hyperglycemia compared to healthy individuals. Dietary ALA intervention improves blood lipid profiles by decreasing levels of TG, TC, LDL and VLDL-C. Our findings add to the evidence that increasing ALA intake could potentially prevent risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Metabolic syndrome: an emerging public health problem in Iranian women: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

OBJECTIVES

To determine the gender-specific prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (Met S) in a representative sample of Iranian adults, and to identify some possible related lifestyle factors.

METHODS

As the baseline survey of a community-based interventional program entitled Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, we performed this cross-sectional study on 12,514 adults (> or =19 years) living in urban and rural areas of 3 cities in Iran. We assessed the prevalence of the Met S (according to the ATP III criteria) as well as dietary intake (based on food frequency questionnaire) and physical activity habits of all of the participants. We also evaluated dietary intake at the micronutrient level by using a one-day food record in a sub-sample of 2000 participants.

RESULTS

The age-adjusted prevalence of Met S was 23.3%, with a higher prevalence in women compared to men (35.1% vs. 10.7%, P<0.05) and in urban residents compared to rural residents (24.2% vs. 19.5%, P<0.05). In all age groups and in both urban and rural areas, the Met S affected a significantly larger number of women than men. Among women, abdominal obesity (71.7%) was more prevalent followed by low HDL-C (60.9%) and hypertriglyceridemia (56.6%), whereas among men, the most frequent components were hypertriglyceridemia (49.1%) and low HDL-C (35.1%), respectively. Abdominal obesity was nearly six times as prevalent in women as in men (71.7% vs. 12%, P<0.05) and had a significant association with metabolic disorders even after adjustment for age, sex and the living area. In general, dietary intake had no effect on the prevalence of Met S. The prevalence of Met S in subjects with a sedentary lifestyle was significantly higher than in active subjects of both genders (25.6% vs. 14.4%, respectively, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Met S is highly prevalent in the Iranian population, notably in women living in urban areas. Abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia characterize this syndrome. Implementing community-based strategies for lifestyle change is of great significance.