A low-fat diet raises Lp(a) by up to 9% and oxidized LDL by up to 27%, a dietary trial of 37 women (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2004)

Original title: Changes in dietary fat intake alter plasma levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and lipoprotein(a)

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol · 22 January 2004 · 6

Silaste ML, Rantala M, Alfthan G, Aro A, Witztum JL, Kesäniemi YA, Hörkkö S

This study fed 37 healthy women two reduced-fat diets, one low in vegetables and one high in vegetables, berries and fruit, to assess effects on oxidized LDL (OxLDL-EO6) and Lp(a). Total fat intake fell from 70 g/day at baseline to 56 g (low-vegetable) and 59 g (high-vegetable), saturated fat from 28 g to 20 g and 19 g, and polyunsaturated fat rose from 11 g to 13 g and 19 g. Median plasma OxLDL-EO6 increased by 27% (P<0.01) on the low-vegetable diet and 19% (P<0.01) on the high-vegetable diet, while Lp(a) increased by 7% (P<0.01) and 9% (P=0.01), respectively. The findings show that reducing dietary fat, regardless of vegetable content, increases plasma Lp(a) and oxidized LDL.

Original abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of dietary modifications on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

Methods And Results: Thirty-seven healthy women were fed two diets. Both diets contained a reduced amount of total and saturated fat. In addition, one diet was low in vegetables and the other was high in vegetables, berries, and fruit. The dietary intake of total fat was 70 g per day at baseline and decreased to 56 g (low-fat, low-vegetable diet) and to 59 g (low-fat, high-vegetable diet). The saturated fat intake decreased from 28 g to 20 g and to 19 g, and the amount of polyunsaturated fat intake increased from 11 g to 13 g and to 19 g (baseline; low-fat, low-vegetable; low-fat, high-vegetable; respectively). The amount of oxidized LDL in plasma was determined as the content of oxidized phospholipid per ApoB-100 using a monoclonal antibody EO6 (OxLDL-EO6). The median plasma OxLDL-EO6 increased by 27% (P<0.01) in response to the low-fat, low-vegetable diet and 19% (P<0.01) in response to the low-fat, high-vegetable diet. Also, the Lp(a) concentration was increased by 7% (P<0.01) and 9% (P=0.01), respectively.

Conclusions: Alterations in the dietary fat intake resulted in increased plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) and OxLDL-EO6.

Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.