cherry picking Lyon Heart Study

"Blood Cholesterol, Leukocyte Count, and Recurrence As expected, total cholesterol and leukocyte count were major independent and joint predictors of recurrence, along with the dietary pattern. 

A leukocyte count .93109 /L increased the risk by a factor of 1.6 to 2.9, and each increase of 1 mmol/L of total cholesterol increased the risk of recurrence by 20% to 30%. 

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown a positive correlation between plasma cholesterol levels and the incidence of (and mortality from) CHD in various populations.24,25 

Thus, our population does not appear to be different from other low-risk populations.25,26 In other words, the data indicate that neither the Mediterranean dietary pattern nor any major bias has altered the usual and expected relationships between the major risk factors of CHD and recurrence."

—The protective effect of the Mediterranean dietary pattern was maintained up to 4 years after the first infarction, confirming previous intermediate analyses. Major traditional risk factors, such as high blood cholesterol and blood pressure, were shown to be independent and joint predictors of recurrence, indicating that the Mediterranean dietary pattern did not alter, at least qualitatively, the usual relationships between major risk factors and recurrence. 

Thus, a comprehensive strategy to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality should include primarily a cardioprotective diet. It should be associated with other (pharmacological?) means aimed at reducing modifiable risk factors. 

Further trials combining the 2 approaches are warranted. (Circulation. 1999;99:779-785.)

Source: Mediterranean Diet, Traditional Risk Factors, and the Rate of Cardiovascular Complications After Myocardial Infarction Final Report of the Lyon Diet Heart Study Michel de Lorgeril, MD; Patricia Salen, BSc; Jean-Louis Martin, PhD;

Link to the original paper

 Furthermore, the Lyon Heart study showed that adopting a Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention improved hard outcomes for both recurrent myocardial infarction (NNT=18) and all-cause mortality (NNT=30), despite there being no significant difference in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol between the two groups. 

It is the alpha linoleic acid, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids present in nuts, extra virgin olive oil, vegetables and oily fish that rapidly attenuate inflammation and coronary thrombosis.6 

Both control diets in these studies were relatively healthy, which make it highly likely that even larger benefits would be observed if the Mediterranean diets discussed above were compared with a typical western diet.

Saturated fat does not clog the arteries: coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced from healthy lifestyle interventions

Aseem Malhotra,1 Rita F Redberg,2,3 Pascal Meier4,5

Link to the original paper

Again there was no difference in cholesterol levels between the two groups which suggests that something else in the diet was having a beneficial effect

Page 72 The Pioppi Diet

Both control diets in these studies were relatively healthy, which make it highly likely that even larger benefits would be observed if the Mediterranean diets discussed above were compared with a typical western diet.

Saturated fat does not clog the arteries: coronary heart disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced from healthy lifestyle interventions

Aseem Malhotra,1 Rita F Redberg,2,3 Pascal Meier4,5

There was a 70% risk reduction in cardiovascular complications by the end of four years, relative to the American Heart Association diet

Page 72 The Pioppi Diet