General: high dietary intake of fruits, vegetables and grain products are assoc with a lower risk of vascular diseases and hypertension.

Lipid lowering to LDL<100mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L and HDL >35mg/dL (0.91mmol/L).

Age, medical conditions, increased LDL, pre existing vascular disease, diabetes and insulin resistance, CHF, renal disorders.

Smoking, alcohol use.

Trans unsaturated fatty acids increase LDL and reduce HDL, and are found in prepared foods containing partially hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed or palm oils, such as cookies, crackers, baked goods, breads, commercially prepared fried foods, margarines, restaurants and fast food chains. Major contributor is hydrogenated fat.