Due to copyright issues, an electronic copy of the thesis must be ordered from the faculty. For the faculty to have time to process the order, the order must be received by the faculty at the latest 2 days before the public defence. Orders received later than 2 days before the defence will not be processed. After the public defence, please address any inquiries regarding the thesis to the candidate.
Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Professor Julie Lovegrove, University of Reading, UK
- Second opponent: Resident Clinician Anne Langsted, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor Haakon Eduard Meyer, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Henrik Schirmer, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor Kjetil Retterstøl, University of Oslo
Summary
The blood lipid profile is important in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is significantly affected by dietary factors.
Recent trends in blood lipids in Norway were examined by blood sample data from about 1 million individuals under 50 years old. Between 2001 and 2019, a significant decline in serum total cholesterol, LDL-, and non-HDL cholesterol was found, while HDL-cholesterol levels slightly increased. Despite these improvements, more than 1/3 of the study sample still had non-optimal lipid levels in 2019, indicates a need for enhanced preventive strategies targeting young adults.
The role of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) in CVD mortality was explored in the Norwegian Counties Study, including 78,725 participants with diet assessments between 1974 and 1988 and follow-up through 2018. Higher SFA intake was associated with increased risks of all-cause and CVD mortality. Theoretical replacement of SFA with carbohydrates or monounsaturated fat was associated with reduced mortality risks. Thus, dietary guidelines advocating lower intake of SFA might have contributed to the fall in CVD in Norway since the 1970s.
Different foods that may affect blood lipids and CVD risk were evaluated in two systematic reviews and meta-analyses of nuts and legumes. Nut consumption was dose-dependently associated with a lower risk of CVD, and with significant reductions in LDL-cholesterol levels in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Associations with stroke were less consistent. For legumes, RCTs showed significant decreases in total and LDL-C levels, suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits. However, meta-analyses of cohort studies found no significant associations with CVD, coronary heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.
The thesis identifies favorable trends in blood lipids among young Norwegians and underscores the impact of dietary choices on CVD risk, supporting guidelines on SFA intake and highlighting the benefits of nut and legume consumption.
Additional information
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