Effects of oleic-rich and omega-3-rich diets on serum lipid pattern and lipid oxidation in mildly hypercholesterolemic patients

Aims: To evaluate which dietary fat elicits the best response in terms of plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and oxidative processes. Methods: After a 4-week run-in period, 14 mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects were fed two balanced diets for 6-week periods. During the first intervention period, patients received a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-enriched diet (olive oil diet). During the second period this diet was supplemented by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (n-3 diet). Results: After the olive oil diet, a significant decrease in total serum cholesterol (−8.54%, P