Research Abstracts
A practical approach to the Portfolio Eating Plan; a dietary regime to prevent cardiovascular disease
Joice, C., 2007. A practical approach to the Portfolio Eating Plan; a dietary regime to prevent cardiovascular disease. Cah Nutr Diét. 42(1):42-45.
(As translated from French) Current dietary strategies for the treatment of coronary heart disease have expanded beyond the restriction of saturated and trans-fat and cholesterol to include viscous fibers, plant sterols, vegetable protein foods (soy) and nuts (almonds). Research at the University of Toronto, Canada, has shown that combining these dietary components in a single dietary strategy, known as the Portfolio eating plan, results in cholesterol reduction proven to be equivalent to a starting therapeutic dose of first generation statins. This overview of the clinical research studies demonstrates the effectiveness of the Portfolio eating plan and focuses on the necessary dietary modifications to realize the goals of this cardio-protective dietary strategy. In addition, a perspective is directed towards the Mediterranean diet, a regime well recognized in France for its cardiovascular benefits.