Final answer:
The question involves analyzing the effectiveness of treatments in lowering cholesterol levels in a biological context at the college level. A p-value greater than 0.05 suggests no significant effect of the treatment. Dietary and medication interventions can influence cholesterol levels, with statins reducing synthesis by inhibiting a key enzyme.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question falls under the subject of Biology, specifically within the subfield of health sciences and concerning the study of cholesterol levels in the human body. The appropriate grade level is College, as the concept involves understanding of biological functions, medication effects, and statistical analysis often covered at this education level.
A p-value of 0.1494 indicates that at the 5 percent significance level, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the medication or dietary intervention was effective in lowering cholesterol levels after 12 weeks. This is because a p-value higher than 0.05 suggests that the observed differences could be due to random chance rather than the treatment itself.
Dietary modifications, physical activity, and certain medications can influence cholesterol levels. For example, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats, reducing trans fatty acids intake, and using medications like statins can help lower serum cholesterol. Statins work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, thereby reducing cholesterol synthesis in the body.