Effect of Diet on Serum Lipid Profile in Healthy Nigerians

Abstract

Background: Serum lipid is a screening tool in different disease conditions such as diabetes mellitus, renal disease and ischemic heart disease. Its determination is traditionally done after an overnight fast. However, there is a growing argument that fasting blood specimen may not be absolutely necessary for a plasma lipid analysis. In order to test this concept, this study was undertaking to evaluate the effect a standard Nigerian meal will have on serum lipid at 30 min and 2 hr postprandial, and also determined the cardiovascular risk ratio (CRR) and the artherogenic index (AI) at fasting, 30 min and 2hr postprandial. Methods: A cross-sectional study that involved fifty healthy subjects aged 20-29 years ((male and female). Participants with medical illness were excluded. The subjects were educated on the study and consent form administered. Subjects fasted over night for 12 hour. Blood was taken from the peripheral veins at the 12th hour after fasting and were thereafter served standard Nigerian meal (rice and beef) that weighed 450 g with (250 ml) water. At 30 min and 2 hr blood was collected for lipid analysis. Serum lipid assays were performed using Reagent kits manufactured by Randox (England) and LDL-C was determined by Friedewald Calculation. Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in total cholesterol at 30 min and 2 hr postprandial compared to fasting, while serum triglyceride was significantly (p<0.05) reduced at 30 min and 2 hr. There were no changes in serum HDL-cholesterol at fasting, 30 min and 2 hr. The LDL-C and non-HDLC were significantly (p<0.05) increased at 30 min and 2 hr when compared to fasting. The cardiovascular risk ratio at 30 min and 2 hr postprandial was significantly (p<0.05) reduced when compared to fsating. The artherogenic index ratio were reduced at 30 min and 2 hr postprandial when compared to fasting. Conclusion: If the risk assessment of an individual is based on values of serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and non HDL cholesterol, fasting specimen will be most desirable. But if the risk assessment is to be considered objectively using the CRR and AI, a fasting blood specimen will not be absolutely necessary especially when the physician needs to take an urgent decision about a patient’s clinical condition.