Which healthy heart diet for people living with HIV?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled pilot study to assess the feasiblity of the Ultmiate Cholesterol Lowering Plan dietary intervention for cardiovascular risk reduction in HIV dyslipidaemia
IRAS ID
123241
Contact name
Clare Stradling
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Research summary
Successful treatment with antiretroviral therapy has lead to an HIV population that are ageing, with heart disease as the most common cause of death. The underlying mechanism of the increased risk of heart disease observed in HIV is not understood, and cannot be explained by traditional risk factors.
Lifestyle intervention is advocated as first line management, with emphasis on a diet low in saturated fat to promote cholesterol reduction. The addition of functional foods (such as plant stanols and nuts) produces more dramatic reductions in cholesterol. This is based on evidence from the general population. Raising the question, would the findings be similar in people who have raised cholesterol due to their HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment?
This is a pilot study to test the feasibility of the trial procedures and acceptability of the Ultimate Cholesterol Lowering Plan (UCLP), which contains functional foods. Sixty adults with HIV infection and raised cholesterol levels will be randomly allocated to receive dietary advice on either reducing saturated fat alone, or together with increasing intake of nuts, plant stanols, soya protein, olive oil, beans and oats (components of UCLP), delivered in the motivational interviewing style, for 6 months. Results from blood tests, questionnaires and interviews will inform the design of a larger definitive trial assessing the impact of UCLP on cardiovascular risk in adults with HIV infection on anti-retroviral therapy.
If this diet can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels, patients may have the option of reducing their heart attack risk without the need for starting statins (and adding to their pill burden) or switching antiretroviral drugs (with the associated risk of losing virological control of the virus).
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0225
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion