Interaction between diets, polymorphisms and plasma lipid levels

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Dietary guidelines that aim to manage fat intake reduce CVD, but an important interindividual variability in plasma lipid responsiveness is observed in individuals following these diets. This interdividual variability in response to diets may be attributable to several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding key proteins involved in lipoprotein metabolism. In this article, we discuss the effect of different diets, classified by type of dietary fats, on plasma lipid levels in relationship to various polymorphisms in key genes that may affect lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. In summary, various polymorphisms may predispose an individual to be more or less responsive to a specific dietary intervention; however, future studies need to be conducted to confirm the effect of these various SNPs. In conclusion, this article reinforces the importance of taking account genetic variability into account in order to personalize potential future dietary recommendations for the prevention and management of hyperlipidemia.