The Effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy Delivered by Registered Dietitians for Disorders of Lipid Metabolism: A Call for Further Research

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 80% of patients with coronary heart disease have at least one of the four major risk factors— hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and smoking—that can be modified through lifestyle changes (1,2). Trained in biological and food science as well as nutrition counseling and behavioral skills management, registered dietitians (RDs) are uniquely qualified to tailor help for these patients to effectively modify their diets and reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease. The evidence that supports the effectiveness of this approach and what data are needed to further establish medical nutrition therapy for managing disorders of lipid metabolism and potentially prevention of cardiovascular disease is discussed in this commentary.