Dietary fibre and coronary heart disease.

Intake of dietary fibres lowers plasma lipids. Fibres particularly soluble ones lower serum total cholesterol (TC) and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) without significant alteration in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglyccrol (TG). Consequently, the incidence of atherosclerotic heart diseases is lower in those who take high dietary fibre. Persons taking diet rich in saturated fat and poor in dietary fibre is more prone to develop coronary artery diseases. Dietary fibres also lower TC: HDL-C and LDL-C: HDL-C ratios. Higher TC: HDL-C and LDL-C: HDL-C ratios are in favour of development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular diseases, a pioneer cause of myocardial infarction (MI).