From the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Uppsala University, UppsalaLantmännen R&D, StockholmBollnäs Heart Clinic, Mitt Hjärta, BollnäsSchool of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden.
Abstract. Adamsson V, Reumark A, Fredriksson I-B, Hammarstr?m E, Vessby B, Johansson G, Ris?rus U (Uppsala University, Uppsala; Lantm?nnen R&D, Stockholm; Bolln?s Heart Clinic, Mitt Hj?rta, Bolln?s; Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden). Effects of a healthy Nordic diet on cardiovascular risk factors in hypercholesterolaemic subjects: a randomized controlled trial (NORDIET). J Intern Med 2011; 269: 150-159. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a healthy Nordic diet (ND) on cardiovascular risk factors. Design and subjects. In a randomized controlled trial (NORDIET) conducted in Sweden, 88 mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects were randomly assigned to an ad libitum ND or control diet (subjects' usual Western diet) for 6 weeks. Participants in the ND group were provided with all meals and foods. Primary outcome measurements were low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and secondary outcomes were blood pressure (BP) and insulin sensitivity (fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance). The ND was rich in high-fibre plant foods, fruits, berries, vegetables, whole grains, rapeseed oil, nuts, fish and low-fat milk products, but low in salt, added sugars and saturated fats. Results. The ND contained 27%, 52%, 19% and 2% of energy from fat, carbohydrate, protein and alcohol, respectively. In total, 86 of 88 subjects randomly assigned to diet completed the study. Compared with controls, there was a decrease in plasma cholesterol (-16%, P