Dietary carbohydrates, glycemic load and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations among South Indian adults

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between dietary carbohydrates, glycemic load and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations in Asian Indians, a high-risk group for diabetes and premature coronary artery disease. Subjects/methods: The study population comprised of 2043 individuals aged X20 years randomly selected from Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiological Study (CURES), an ongoing population-based study on a representative population of Chennai (formerly Madras) city in southern India. Participants with self-reported history of diabetes or heart disease or on drug therapy for dyslipidemia were excluded from the study. Dietary carbohydrates, glycemic index and glycemic load were assessed using a validated interviewer administered semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Results: Both dietary glycemic load (Po0.0001) and total dietary carbohydrate intake (Po0.001) were significantly associated with higher serum triglyceride levels and lower serum HDL-C levels. For the lowest to highest quintile of glycemic load, the multivariate-adjusted mean HDL-C values were 44.1 mg per 100 ml and 41.2 mg per 100 ml (6.6% difference, P for trendo0.001), while for total carbohydrate it was less (5% difference, P for trend ¼ 0.016). The pattern of decrease in HDL-C for the lowest to highest quintile of glycemic load was more pronounced among men (1st vs 5th quintile: adjusted HDL-C: 4.3 mg per 100 ml decrease (10.3%)) than women (1st vs 5th quintile: adjusted HDL-C: 3.2 mg per 100 ml decrease (6.9%)). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that both total carbohydrates and dietary glycemic load intake are inversely associated with plasma HDL-C concentrations among Asian Indians, with dietary glycemic load having a stronger association.

Refined grain consumption and the metabolic syndrome in urban Asian Indians (Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study 57)

“…Randomized and metabolic studies have shown that white rice and refined wheat flour products increase fasting triglyceride levels and reduce HDL-C concentrations [33,34]. Our current results are in agreement with our previous finding that a higher dietary glycemic load intake was associated with lower HDL-C levels [35]. Consistent with another cross-sectional study conducted among older adults [16], we also found that higher refined grains intake was associated with higher fasting glucose concentration.…”

Lipid Profile, Plasma Apolipoproteins, and Risk of a First Myocardial Infarction Among Asians

“…This was accompanied by lower ApoA1 levels. This predilection of South Asians to have lower HDL-C levels is well known (2), and has been attributed to the higher prevalence of insulin resistance and related metabolic abnormalities, which may be the consequence of a combination of genetic predisposition, physical inactivity, and a high-carbohydrate diet (2,9,10). By contrast, among other Asian subgroups, HDL-C levels were higher and similar to levels in non-Asians.…”

“…), who may differ in their lipid profiles (3). These differences may be the result of both genetic and environmental factors (high-carbohydrate diets, reduced physical activity, and so on) (9,10).…”

LC/MS-based polar metabolite profiling reveals gender differences in serum from patients with myocardial infarction

“…The ratios of TC to HDL and LDL to HDL are recognized as better indicators for CVD risk [32,33], and total cholesterol alone may not be adequate for predicting MI candidates [34]. In the case of triglycerides, variations derived from dietary supplements [35,36] and regions were found [37]. In addition, the alteration of the lipid profile due to gender differences was observed in healthy participants and patients with metabolic disease, and the levels of HDL and triglycerides were higher in healthy women than men [38,39].…”