Scientific Study

In a randomized; single-blind intervention trial; 406 patients 24 to 48 hours after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were assigned to either diet A (204 patients; group A) or B (202 patients; group B) for 6 weeks. At entry to the study; mean age; male sex; risk factors; complications; possible and definite AMI; and drug therapy were comparable between the 2 groups. Dietary adherence to intervention and control diets was checked by questionnaire; and drug therapy by tablet count. Group A received significantly lower calories; a higher percentage of calories from complex carbohydrates; vegetable/fish proteins; polyunsaturated fatty acids; and a higher polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio diet than did group B (higher total calories and saturated fatty acids). Group A also received less dietary cholesterol; salt and caffeine; and higher soluble dietary fiber; vitamins and minerals than did group B. After 6 weeks; group A had a significant decrease in mean serum total (-20.5 vs -8.6 mg/dl) and low-density lipoprotein (-16.6 vs -6.4 mg/dl) cholesterols; and triglycerides (-15.5 vs -7.6 mg/dl); with no decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-1.5 vs -1.3 mg/dl) compared with the initial levels and changes in group B. Group A also had a greater decrease in mean body weight (3.4 vs 1.3 kg) than that of group B.