holesterol, and macrophages in the form of foam cells containing oxidized LDL molecules. The lipid hypothesis and the vascular injury hypothesis are proposed regarding the pathogenesis of this process. The original lipid hypothesis stated that the lipid in the arterial wall was a transduction of lipids from blood into the vessel wall where it accumulated. The vascular injury hypothesis states that the initial injury to arterial endothelium is key in the process involved in initiating atherosclerosis; the damaged endothelium then allows accumulation of lipids and other cellular elements. Indirect evidence suggests that oxidized LDL may have a role in the atherosclerotic process (1:974-975).
Diet is related to health; it is considered a preventative medicine for cardiovascular disease. Nutritional factors are found to influence risk factors predisposing to CHD and the cellular events leading to atherosclerosis. Strategy includes the lowering of non-lipid cardiovascular risks such as hypertension and the prevention of disease through plasma lipid lowering interventions. Nutritional changes reported to achieve this includes optimizing energy balance, reduction of total fats and saturated fatty acids, and increasing plant foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, and antioxidants which optimize LDL concentrations (11:566).
The link between coronary atherosclerosis and dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol has been a focus for over thirty years (10:350). Current focus regarding the reduction of heat disease risks by diet include attention to total fat (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids), cholesterol, soluble fiber, salt, alcohol, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Total fat diets tend to have high blood cholesterol concentrations. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) currently recommends that total fat be reduced from the current 36-37 percent to 30 percent or less of ca...