Low fat, low cholesterol diets result in lower cholesterol levels and a higher death rate

This study was published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 1978;109:317-30

Study title and authors:

Low fat, low cholesterol diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Woodhill JM, Palmer AJ, Leelarthaepin B, McGilchrist C, Blacket RB.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/727035

The study set out to determine the effects of a low fat, low cholesterol diet on death rates in men with existing heart disease. The study included 458 men, aged 30 to 59, who were followed for up to seven years.

The men were allocated in groups to consume either:

(i) A low fat, low cholesterol diet.

(ii) Their usual diet.

The study found:

(a) The men following the low fat, low cholesterol diet lowered their cholesterol levels 4.5% more than the men following their usual diet.

(b) The men following the low fat, low cholesterol diet had 49% increased death rates compared to the men following their usual diet.

(c) The men following the low fat, low cholesterol diet had 44% increased heart disease death rates compared to the men following their usual diet.

The results of the study show that a low fat, low cholesterol diet results in lower cholesterol levels and a higher death rate.