A Whole Food Plant Diet and Its Lipidemic Effects on Primary Prevention in a Free-range Population

This study seeks to determine the effects of a whole-food, plant-based diet on lipid, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers. Eligible participants will have had either an LDL-C \>100 mg/dL or non-HDL-C \>130 mg/dL without a current diagnosis of coronary heart disease and are willing to adhere to a whole food plant based diet for at least 8 weeks. Participants enrolled in the study will provide fasting blood work, complete a baseline quality of life survey, and receive education on a whole-food, plant-based diet at a local Lancaster County grocery store during their first study visit. Throughout the study, patients will have access to dietary counseling which will be provided by a certified nutritionist and will be asked to record and submit daily food diaries. Study participants will be asked to adhere to a whole food plant based diet for a total of 8 weeks. Prior to the final study visit, participants will be asked to obtain follow-up fasting bloodwork around 7 weeks post start of whole food plant based diet. The results, along with a follow-up quality of life survey, and an opportunity to discuss the bloodwork with a doctor will be held at the local grocery story 8 weeks after the first study visit.