Wine Information Council
16 june 2026
Print

Yearly attained adherence to Mediterranean diet, estimated trajectories of lipid profile from 60 to 80 years, and onset of clinical dyslipidemias in older adults at high cardiovascular risk

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between yearly attained adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and trajectories of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratio, as well as the risk of clinically relevant dyslipidemias, in adults aged 60-80 at high cardiovascular risk.

METHODS: In 4,954 participants (68.1 +/- 5.5 years, 62% women, median follow-up: 4 years) from the Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea trial, trajectories of triglycerides, HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were compared between participants with high or low cumulative adherence to the MedDiet (>/= 10 vs. <10 points) over time. The association between high MedDiet adherence and the risk of five dyslipidemias (triglycerides >/= 150 or >/= 200 mg/dL; low HDL-C; LDL-C >/= 130 or >/= 160 mg/dL) was examined using multivariable Cox regressions.

RESULTS: Compared with low adherence to the MedDiet, high adherence was associated with lower triglycerides (differences in the range: -6 to -12 mg/dL), particularly among individuals using triglyceride-lowering medications (-17 to -41 mg/dL). High adherence was also associated with higher HDL-C (+ 0.8 to + 2.3 mg/dL) and lower LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. High adherence to the MedDiet was associated with a lower risk of all dyslipidemias (range: -21% to -45%). One-point increases in adherence were associated with a 48-91% lower dyslipidemia risk among individuals with low adherence (< 8 points).

CONCLUSION: In adults aged 60-80 at high cardiovascular risk, greater long-term adherence to a MedDiet was associated with a better lipid profile and a lower risk of clinically relevant dyslipidemias.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN35739639 (registration date: Oct 5, 2005).

Additional Info

  • Authors

    Hernaez A.; Lassale C.; Sandoval V.; Ros E.; Ortega E.; Pinto X.; Castaner O.; Martinez-Gonzalez M. A.; Corella D.; Salas-Salvado J.; Estruch R.; Timiraos J.; Lapetra J.; Fiol M.; Gomez-Gracia E.; Serra-Majem L.; Perez-Vega K. A.; Toledo E.; Sorli J. V.; Babio N.; Fito M.

  • Issue

    Periodical: Lipids Health Dis - Edition: 20260616

  • Published Date

    16 june 2026

Related items