Objective: This study retrospectively examined the effects of a 21-day nutritional intervention program, which included fruit and vegetable consumption, energy restriction, and nutritional supplements, on serum lipid measures in 28 chiropractic patients.
Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 28 chiropractic patients who had completed a commercially available 21-day nutritional intervention program between April 2005 and August 2007 and for whom complete serum lipid and weight measures immediately pre- and postintervention were available. The primary outcome was change in serum lipids, and change in body weight was a secondary outcome variable.
Results: Significant reductions in total, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were observed. Serum triglycerides decreased from 116.3 +/- 54.6 (mean +/- SD) to 88.6 +/- 40.5 mg/dL (P < .01). Total cholesterol decreased from 223.3 +/- 40.7 to 176.2 +/- 30.0 mg/dL (P < .0001). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased from 145.7 +/- 36.8 to 110.9 +/- 25.3 mg/dL (P < .0001). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased from 54.3 +/- 14.6 to 47.6 +/- 10.5 mg/dL (P < .001). Weight for patients decreased from 191.2 +/- 38.8 to 182.2 +/- 36.3 lb (P < .0001).
Conclusions: This retrospective case series supports the hypothesis that a nutritional purification intervention program emphasizing fruit and vegetable consumption, energy restriction, and nutritional supplements reduces serum lipids and weight.