
Intervention studies resulted in a reduction in triglycerides (TG) and increase in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C).

Ī low-carbohydrate diet is defined as consumption of 30–130 g of carbohydrate per day or up to 45% of total calories. The data were summarized literature with emphasis on the level of evidence ( Table 1) and practical recommendations ( Table 2). As nutritional data has limited “hard endpoint” data, especially from randomized trials, we needed to categorize some of the data based on surrogate endpoints as well. “If there were not enough data on cardiovascular morbidity or mortality (‘hard CV end points’), we searched for a possible influence on dyslipidemia or CVD risk factors (such as in the DASH diet)”. If needed, general historical information was added. When multiple articles for a single study were present, we used the latest publication the most complete one. We systematically searched published meta-analysis of intervention or cohort prospective studies that investigated the association between the relevant keywords of the chapter topic and cardiovascular health outcomes in electronic databases: The Cochrane Library (source: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Pubmed and Google Scholar. We conducted a comprehensive literature search through electronic databases up to December 2012. This position paper is written by collaboration of the Israel Heart Association and the Israel Dietetic Association.

Lifestyle factors, including nutrition, play an important role in the etiology of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Supplements reviewed in the third section include salt and sodium, omega-3 and fish oil, phytosterols, antioxidants, vitamin D, magnesium, homocysteine-reducing agents, and coenzyme Q10. Foods reviewed in the second section include: whole grains and dietary fiber, vegetables and fruits, nuts, soy, dairy products, alcoholic drinks, coffee and caffeine, tea, chocolate, garlic, and eggs.

The dietary patterns reviewed include low carbohydrate diet, low-fat diet, Mediterranean diet, and the DASH diet. The nutritional information is divided into three main sections: dietary patterns, individual food items, and nutritional supplements. This position paper, written by collaboration between the Israel Heart Association and the Israel Dietetic Association, summarizes the current, preferably latest, literature on the association of nutrition and CVD with emphasis on the level of evidence and practical recommendations.
