The relationship of diet to serum cholesterol levels in young men in Antarctica

Abstract

1. Regular estimations of dietary intake, body-weight, skinfold thickness, blood pressure and pulse rate, and serum lipids were made in twenty-four members of an Antarctic expedition over 1 year.2. The mean levels of serum total cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides were 198.5 ±4.85 mg/100 ml, 221.4±5.73 mg/100 ml and 120.9±13.53 mg/100 ml respectively.3. A positive correlation was found between the total intake of fat expressed as calories and the following serum lipid levels: total cholesterol, β-cholesterol, and the cholesterol:phospholipid ratio. Significant positive correlation was also found between the latter serum levels and fat when expressed as a percentage of the total food intake.4. This correlation has not been found in small groups before, and is due to the fact that each estimation was the result of several assessments made over 1 year.5. The survey suggests that the personal serum cholesterol level may be dependent upon the habitual total intake of dietary fat and the percentage of the total calories supplied by fat.