NTR 454/554 EXAM 2 VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS -
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS -
CURRENT VERSION
Q: What is atherosclerosis? ANSWER The buildup of fatty plaques
(atheromas) in the arterial walls, leading to narrowed and hardened
arteries.
Q: Which lipoprotein is the primary carrier of cholesterol in the blood?
ANSWER Low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Q: Why is LDL often referred to as "bad" cholesterol? ANSWER High
levels lead to cholesterol deposition in arterial walls, promoting
atherosclerosis.
Q: What is the function of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)? ANSWER It
transports cholesterol away from the arteries back to the liver for
excretion (reverse cholesterol transport).
Q: What lifestyle factors increase HDL levels? ANSWER Regular
aerobic exercise, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol
consumption.
Q: What lipoprotein is most strongly associated with cardiovascular risk
in women and patients with diabetes? ANSWER Small, dense LDL
particles.
Q: What is the primary dietary source of trans fats? ANSWER Partially
hydrogenated oils found in processed foods.
Q: How do trans fats affect the lipid profile? ANSWER They raise LDL
("bad") cholesterol and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Q: What is the recommended daily limit for saturated fat intake to lower
CVD risk? ANSWER Less than 7% of total daily calories.
,Q: According to the ATP III guidelines, what is the optimal LDL goal for
high-risk patients? ANSWER Less than 100 mg/dL (or <70 mg/dL for
very high risk).
Q: What is the TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) diet? ANSWER A
step-one diet emphasizing less than 7% saturated fat, less than 200mg
dietary cholesterol, and increased soluble fiber.
Q: How much soluble fiber is recommended daily to lower LDL?
ANSWER 10 to 25 grams per day.
Q: Give three examples of foods high in soluble fiber. ANSWER Oats,
beans, apples, and barley.
Q: What are plant stanols/sterols and how do they work? ANSWER
They are plant compounds that structurally resemble cholesterol; they
block the intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol.
Q: How much plant sterol/stanol is needed daily to lower LDL?
ANSWER 2 to 3 grams per day.
Q: What type of fatty acid is primarily found in olive oil and canola oil?
ANSWER Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).
Q: What is the effect of replacing saturated fats with MUFAs on the lipid
profile? ANSWER It lowers LDL cholesterol while maintaining or
slightly raising HDL cholesterol.
Q: What are omega-3 fatty acids? ANSWER Polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFAs) highly concentrated in fatty fish (EPA and DHA) and some
plants (ALA).
Q: What is the cardiovascular benefit of omega-3 fatty acids? ANSWER
They significantly lower serum triglycerides and have anti-
inflammatory, anti-thrombotic effects.
Q: How many grams of omega-3s (EPA/DHA) are recommended to
lower triglycerides? ANSWER 2 to 4 grams per day (usually via
supplementation).
Q: What is the primary dietary cause of elevated triglycerides?
ANSWER Excessive intake of simple sugars, refined carbohydrates, and
alcohol.
, Q: What is VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein)? ANSWER A
lipoprotein produced by the liver that transports endogenous
triglycerides to peripheral tissues.
Q: What is metabolic syndrome? ANSWER A cluster of conditions
(abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL, high BP, high fasting
glucose) that increase CVD risk.
Q: What is the waist circumference cutoff for metabolic syndrome in
men? ANSWER Greater than or equal to 40 inches (102 cm).
Q: What is the waist circumference cutoff for metabolic syndrome in
women? ANSWER Greater than or equal to 35 inches (88 cm).
Q: What is homocysteine? ANSWER An amino acid in the blood; high
levels are an independent risk factor for CVD.
Q: Which B vitamins are used to lower homocysteine levels? ANSWER
Folate, B6, and B12.
Q: Does treating high homocysteine with B-vitamins reduce CVD
events? ANSWER No, clinical trials show it lowers the biomarker but
does not reduce actual cardiovascular events.
Q: What is C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)? ANSWER A marker of systemic
inflammation; elevated levels predict CVD risk.
Q: What is the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis? ANSWER
Inflammation makes plaques vulnerable to rupture, leading to
thrombosis (clots) and acute coronary events.
Q: What is the Mediterranean Diet? ANSWER A dietary pattern high in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish; low in red meat
and processed foods.
Q: What is the Portfolio Diet? ANSWER A vegan diet combining
cholesterol-lowering foods: soluble fiber, plant sterols, almonds, and
soy protein.
Q: How much LDL reduction can the Portfolio Diet achieve? ANSWER
Similar reduction (approx. 30%) as statin medications.
Q: What is the effect of alcohol on triglycerides? ANSWER Even
moderate amounts can significantly elevate triglyceride levels.
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS -
CURRENT VERSION
Q: What is atherosclerosis? ANSWER The buildup of fatty plaques
(atheromas) in the arterial walls, leading to narrowed and hardened
arteries.
Q: Which lipoprotein is the primary carrier of cholesterol in the blood?
ANSWER Low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Q: Why is LDL often referred to as "bad" cholesterol? ANSWER High
levels lead to cholesterol deposition in arterial walls, promoting
atherosclerosis.
Q: What is the function of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)? ANSWER It
transports cholesterol away from the arteries back to the liver for
excretion (reverse cholesterol transport).
Q: What lifestyle factors increase HDL levels? ANSWER Regular
aerobic exercise, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol
consumption.
Q: What lipoprotein is most strongly associated with cardiovascular risk
in women and patients with diabetes? ANSWER Small, dense LDL
particles.
Q: What is the primary dietary source of trans fats? ANSWER Partially
hydrogenated oils found in processed foods.
Q: How do trans fats affect the lipid profile? ANSWER They raise LDL
("bad") cholesterol and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Q: What is the recommended daily limit for saturated fat intake to lower
CVD risk? ANSWER Less than 7% of total daily calories.
,Q: According to the ATP III guidelines, what is the optimal LDL goal for
high-risk patients? ANSWER Less than 100 mg/dL (or <70 mg/dL for
very high risk).
Q: What is the TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) diet? ANSWER A
step-one diet emphasizing less than 7% saturated fat, less than 200mg
dietary cholesterol, and increased soluble fiber.
Q: How much soluble fiber is recommended daily to lower LDL?
ANSWER 10 to 25 grams per day.
Q: Give three examples of foods high in soluble fiber. ANSWER Oats,
beans, apples, and barley.
Q: What are plant stanols/sterols and how do they work? ANSWER
They are plant compounds that structurally resemble cholesterol; they
block the intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol.
Q: How much plant sterol/stanol is needed daily to lower LDL?
ANSWER 2 to 3 grams per day.
Q: What type of fatty acid is primarily found in olive oil and canola oil?
ANSWER Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).
Q: What is the effect of replacing saturated fats with MUFAs on the lipid
profile? ANSWER It lowers LDL cholesterol while maintaining or
slightly raising HDL cholesterol.
Q: What are omega-3 fatty acids? ANSWER Polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFAs) highly concentrated in fatty fish (EPA and DHA) and some
plants (ALA).
Q: What is the cardiovascular benefit of omega-3 fatty acids? ANSWER
They significantly lower serum triglycerides and have anti-
inflammatory, anti-thrombotic effects.
Q: How many grams of omega-3s (EPA/DHA) are recommended to
lower triglycerides? ANSWER 2 to 4 grams per day (usually via
supplementation).
Q: What is the primary dietary cause of elevated triglycerides?
ANSWER Excessive intake of simple sugars, refined carbohydrates, and
alcohol.
, Q: What is VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein)? ANSWER A
lipoprotein produced by the liver that transports endogenous
triglycerides to peripheral tissues.
Q: What is metabolic syndrome? ANSWER A cluster of conditions
(abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL, high BP, high fasting
glucose) that increase CVD risk.
Q: What is the waist circumference cutoff for metabolic syndrome in
men? ANSWER Greater than or equal to 40 inches (102 cm).
Q: What is the waist circumference cutoff for metabolic syndrome in
women? ANSWER Greater than or equal to 35 inches (88 cm).
Q: What is homocysteine? ANSWER An amino acid in the blood; high
levels are an independent risk factor for CVD.
Q: Which B vitamins are used to lower homocysteine levels? ANSWER
Folate, B6, and B12.
Q: Does treating high homocysteine with B-vitamins reduce CVD
events? ANSWER No, clinical trials show it lowers the biomarker but
does not reduce actual cardiovascular events.
Q: What is C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)? ANSWER A marker of systemic
inflammation; elevated levels predict CVD risk.
Q: What is the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis? ANSWER
Inflammation makes plaques vulnerable to rupture, leading to
thrombosis (clots) and acute coronary events.
Q: What is the Mediterranean Diet? ANSWER A dietary pattern high in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish; low in red meat
and processed foods.
Q: What is the Portfolio Diet? ANSWER A vegan diet combining
cholesterol-lowering foods: soluble fiber, plant sterols, almonds, and
soy protein.
Q: How much LDL reduction can the Portfolio Diet achieve? ANSWER
Similar reduction (approx. 30%) as statin medications.
Q: What is the effect of alcohol on triglycerides? ANSWER Even
moderate amounts can significantly elevate triglyceride levels.
