Association of Plant Protein Intake with Lipid Profiles and Anthropometric Indices in Healthy Individuals

The outcome of the studies evaluating effects of plant and animal protein intake on lipid profiles remain controversial. The researchers of the current study aimed to assess the relationship between these protein sources and lipid profiles, as well as novel anthropometric indices, in healthy individuals.

This cross-sectional study included 236 participants and their dietary intake was measured using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Measurements included total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Various anthropometric indices, such as the body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body roundness index (BRI), and conicity index (CI), were also determined.

The results showed the following findings:

• In both crude and fully adjusted models, higher consumption of plant proteins was linked to increased TG levels (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.95; P = 0.03 and OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.03, 5.15). 
• Additionally, there was a significant direct association between plant protein intake and BRI in both the crude model (OR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.32, 9.54) and after adjusting for age and energy intake (OR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.21, 9.14).
• A higher intake of plant proteins was also linked to a greater CI in the crude model (OR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.12, 8.31), but this association did not hold in the fully adjusted model. 

Thus, the study found that increased plant protein intake is associated with higher levels of TG, BRI, and CI. However, further research is necessary to validate these findings and support their application in clinical settings.

Source: Kohansal A, Zangene A, Turki Jalil A, Hooshang H, Leilami K, Gerami S, Najafi M, Nouri M, Faghih S. Association between plant and animal proteins intake with lipid profile and anthropometric indices: A cross-sectional study. Nutr Health. 2024 Mar;30(1):129-137. doi: 10.1177/02601060221104311. Epub 2022 Jun 3. PMID: 35656771.