Effects of different forms of hazelnuts on blood lipids and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals Dose Response of Almonds on Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: Blood Lipids, Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins, Lipoprotein(a), Homocysteine, and Pulmonary Nitric Oxide: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial Nut Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. Effects of pistachio nuts consumption on plasma lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy volunteers. Nut Consumption in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality Among Patients With Diabetes Mellitus A macadamia nut-rich diet reduces total and LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women. Pistachio Nut Consumption and Serum Lipid Levels Brazil nuts intake improves lipid profile, oxidative stress and microvascular function in obese adolescents: a randomized controlled trial Effect of pistachio consumption on plasma lipoprotein subclasses in pre-diabetic subjects. Effect of pistachio nut consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Effect of pistachio nuts on serum lipid levels in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. The effect of almonds on anthropometric measurements and lipid profile in overweight and obese females in a weight reduction program: A randomized controlled clinical trial A possible protective effect of nut consumption on risk of coronary heart disease. The Adventist Health Study. Macadamia nut consumption lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic men. Effects of pistachios on cardiovascular disease risk factors and potential mechanisms of action: a dose-response study. Crossover study of diets enriched with virgin olive oil, walnuts or almonds. Effects on lipids and other cardiovascular risk markers. Effects of almond dietary supplementation on coronary heart disease lipid risk factors and serum lipid oxidation parameters in men with mild hyperlipidemia.
Background / Objectives : Diets high in nuts reduce cholesterol , probably due to their favorable lipid profile and other bioactive substances . However , the physical form of the nut may be important as the cell wall of intact nuts may limit the hypocholesterolemic effect of nuts by reducing lipid bioavailability . Therefore , we investigated the effects on blood lipids of incorporating three different forms of hazelnuts ( ground , sliced and whole ) into the usual diet . Subjects/ Methods : In a r and omized crossover study with three phases , 48 mildly hypercholesterolemic participants were asked to consume 30 g of ground , sliced or whole hazelnuts for 4 weeks . Body weight , plasma total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , triacylglycerol ( TAG ) , apolipoprotein ( apo ) A1 , apo B100 and α-tocopherol were measured at baseline and at the end of each dietary phase . Results : There were no significant differences in any outcome variable between the different forms of nuts ( all P⩾0.159 ) . However , compared with baseline , mean values at the end of each hazelnut intervention were significantly higher for HDL-C ( P=0.023 ) and α-tocopherol ( P=0.005 ) , and significantly lower for TC ( P<0.001 ) , LDL-C ( P<0.001 ) , TC : HDL-C ratio ( P<0.001 ) , apo B100 ( P=0.002 ) and apo B100:apo A1 ratio ( P<0.001 ) , with no significant difference in body weight ( P=0.813 ) . Conclusions : The ingestion of three different forms of hazelnuts equally improved the lipoprotein profile and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals . Hazelnuts can therefore be incorporated into the usual diet as a means of reducing cardiovascular disease risk Background —Although recent studies have indicated that nut consumption may improve levels of blood lipids , nuts are not generally recommended as snacks for hyperlipidemic subjects because of their high fat content . Furthermore , the effective dose is still unknown . Methods and Results —The dose-response effects of whole almonds , taken as snacks , were compared with low-saturated fat ( < 5 % energy ) whole-wheat muffins ( control ) in the therapeutic diets of hyperlipidemic subjects . In a r and omized crossover study , 27 hyperlipidemic men and women consumed 3  isoenergetic ( mean 423 kcal/d ) supplements each for 1 month . Supplements provided 22.2 % of energy and consisted of full-dose almonds ( 73±3 g/d ) , half-dose almonds plus half-dose muffins , and full-dose muffins  . Fasting blood , expired air , blood pressure , and body weight measurements were obtained at weeks 0 , 2 , and 4 . Mean body weights differed < 300 g between treatments . The full-dose almonds produced the greatest reduction in levels of blood lipids . Significant reductions from baseline were seen on both half- and full-dose almonds for LDL cholesterol ( 4.4±1.7 % , P = 0.018 , and 9.4±1.9 % , P < 0.001 , respectively ) and LDL : HDL cholesterol ( 7.8±2.2 % , P = 0.001 , and 12.0±2.1 % , P < 0.001 , respectively ) and on full-dose almonds alone for lipoprotein(a ) ( 7.8±3.5 % , P = 0.034 ) and oxidized LDL concentrations ( 14.0±3.8 % , P < 0.001 ) , with no significant reductions on the control diet . No difference was seen in pulmonary nitric oxide between treatments . Conclusions —Almonds used as snacks in the diets of hyperlipidemic subjects significantly reduce coronary heart disease risk factors , probably in part because of the nonfat ( protein and fiber ) and monounsaturated fatty acid components of the nut BACKGROUND The associations between specific types of nuts , specifically peanuts and walnuts , and cardiovascular disease remain unclear . OBJECTIVES The authors sought to analyze the associations between the intake of total and specific types of nuts and cardiovascular disease , coronary heart disease , and stroke risk . METHODS The authors included 76,364 women from the Nurses ' Health Study ( 1980 to 2012 ) , 92,946 women from the Nurses ' Health Study II ( 1991 to 2013 ) , and 41,526 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study ( 1986 to 2012 ) who were free of cancer , heart disease , and stroke at baseline .  Nut consumption was assessed using food frequency question naires at baseline and was up date d every 4 years . RESULTS During 5,063,439 person-years of follow-up , the authors documented 14,136 incident cardiovascular disease cases , including 8,390 coronary heart disease cases and 5,910 stroke cases . Total nut consumption was inversely associated with total cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors . The pooled multivariable hazard ratios for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease among participants who consumed 1 serving of nuts ( 28 g ) 5 or more times per week , compared with the reference category ( never or almost never ) , were 0.86 ( 95 % confidence interval : 0.79 to 0.93 ; p for trend = 0.0002 ) and 0.80 ( 95 % confidence interval : 0.72 to 0.89 ; p for trend < 0.001 ) , respectively . Consumption of peanuts and tree nuts ( 2 or more times/week ) and walnuts ( 1 or more times/week ) was associated with a 13 % to 19 % lower risk of total cardiovascular disease and 15 % to 23 % lower risk of coronary heart disease . CONCLUSIONS In 3 large prospect i ve cohort studies , higher consumption of total and specific types of nuts was inversely associated with total cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease BACKGROUND AND AIM Effects of pistachio nuts consumption on plasma lipid profile and oxidative status were investigated in healthy volunteers with normal lipid levels . METHODS AND RESULTS The study was conducted in 24 healthy men and 20 healthy women . All subjects consumed their regular diets during a 1-week period . After this period , half of the subjects ( 12 men and 10 women , mean age 32.8 + /- 6.7 years ) were r and omized to a regular diet group and the other half ( 12 men and 10 women , mean age 33.4 + /- 7.2 years ) were r and omized to a pistachio group which involved substituting pistachio nuts for 20 % of their daily caloric intake for 3 weeks . Plasma total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) , high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) , triglyceride , malondialdehyde ( MDA ) and antioxidant potential ( AOP ) were measured before and after the dietary modification from all the subjects . After 3 weeks , with the pistachio diet , the mean plasma total cholesterol , MDA levels and , total cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were found to be significantly decreased ( P < 0.05 , P < 0.05 , P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 , respectively ) ; on the contrary , HDL and AOP levels , and AOP/MDA ratios were significantly increased ( P < 0.001 , P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 , respectively ) . Triglyceride and LDL levels also decreased but this was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION These results indicated that consumption of pistachio nuts decreased oxidative stress , and improved total cholesterol and HDL levels in healthy volunteers Rationale : The evidence regarding the potential health benefits of nut consumption among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus is limited . Objective : To examine intake of total and specific types of nuts , including tree nuts and peanuts , in relation to subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) , including coronary heart disease and stroke , and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with diabetes mellitus . Methods and Results : This prospect i ve analysis included 16 217 men and women with diabetes mellitus at baseline or diagnosed during follow-up ( Nurses ’ Health Study : 1980–2014 , Health Professionals Follow-Up Study : 1986–2014 ) .  Nut consumption was assessed using a vali date d food frequency question naire and up date d every 2 to 4 years . During 223 682 and 254 923 person-years of follow-up , there were 3336 incident CVD cases and 5682 deaths , respectively . Higher total nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of CVD incidence and mortality . The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios ( 95 % CIs ) for participants who consumed 5 or more servings of total nuts per week ( 1 serving=28 g ) , compared with those who consumed < 1 serving per month , were 0.83 ( 0.71–0.98 ; P trend=0.01 ) for total CVD incidence , 0.80 ( 0.67–0.96 ; P trend=0.005 ) for coronary heart disease incidence , 0.66 ( 0.52–0.84 ; P trend < 0.001 ) for CVD mortality , and 0.69 ( 0.61–0.77 ; P trend < 0.001 ) for all-cause mortality .  Total nut consumption was not significantly associated with risk of stroke incidence or cancer mortality . For specific types of nuts , higher tree nut consumption was associated with lower risk of total CVD , coronary heart disease incidence , and mortality because of CVD , cancer , and all causes , whereas peanut consumption was associated with lower all-cause mortality only ( all P trend < 0.001 ) . In addition , compared with participants who did not change the consumption of total nuts from pre- to post-diabetes mellitus diagnosis , participants who increased consumption of total nuts after diabetes mellitus diagnosis had an 11 % lower risk of CVD , a 15 % lower coronary heart disease risk , a 25 % lower CVD mortality , and a 27 % lower all-cause mortality . The associations persisted in subgroup analyses stratified by sex/cohort , body mass index at diabetes mellitus diagnosis , smoking status , diabetes mellitus duration , nut consumption before diabetes mellitus diagnosis , or diet quality . Conclusions : Higher consumption of nuts , especially tree nuts , is associated with lower CVD incidence and mortality among participants with diabetes mellitus . These data provide novel evidence that supports the recommendation of incorporating nuts into healthy dietary patterns for the prevention of CVD complications and premature deaths among individuals with diabetes mellitus Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that the unique fatty acid profile of nuts beneficially affects serum lipids/lipoproteins , reducing cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk .  Nuts are low in SFA and high in PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFA ) . Macadamia nuts are a rich source of MUFA . A r and omized , crossover , controlled feeding study ( 5-wk diet periods ) compared a Macadamia nut-rich diet [ 42.5 g ( 1.5 ounces)/8.79 MJ ( 2100 kcal ) ] [ MAC ; 33 % total fat ( 7 % SFA , 18 % MUFA , 5 % PUFA ) ] vs. an average American diet [ AAD ; 33 % total fat ( 13 % SFA , 11 % MUFA , 5 % PUFA ) ] on the lipid/lipoprotein profile of mildly hypercholesterolemic ( n = 25 ; 15 female , 10 male ) subjects .  Serum concentrations of total cholesterol ( TC ) and LDL cholesterol ( LDL-C ) following the MAC ( 4.94 + /- 0.17 mmol/L , 3.14 + /- 0.14 mmol/L ) were lower than the AAD ( 5.45 + /- 0.17 mmol/L , 3.44 + /- 0.14 mmol/L ; P < 0.05 ) . The serum non-HDL cholesterol ( HDL-C ) concentration and the ratios of TC : HDL-C and LDL-C : HDL-C were reduced following consumption of the MAC diet ( 3.83 + /- 0.17 , 4.60 + /- 0.24 , and 2.91 + /- 0.17 , respectively ) compared with the AAD ( 4.26 + /- 0.17 , 4.89 + /- 0.24 , and 3.09 + /- 0.18 , respectively ; P < 0.05 ) . There was no change in serum triglyceride concentration . Thus , macadamia nuts can be included in a heart-healthy dietary pattern that reduces lipid/lipoprotein CVD risk factors . Nuts as an isocaloric substitute for high SFA foods increase the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and decrease SFA , thereby lowering CVD risk Objective : Clinical and epidemiological studies have reported the beneficial effects of tree nuts and peanuts on serum lipid levels . We studied the effects of consuming 15 % of the daily caloric intake in the form of pistachio nuts on the lipid profiles of free-living human subjects with primary , moderate hypercholesterolemia ( serum cholesterol greater than 210 mg/dL ) . Methods : Design : R and omized crossover trial . Setting : Outpatient dietary counseling and blood analysis . Subjects : 15 subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia . Intervention : Fours weeks of dietary modification with 15 % caloric intake from pistachio nuts . Measures of Outcome : Endpoints were serum lipid levels of total cholesterol , HDL-C , LDL-C , VLDL-C , triglycerides and apolipoproteins A-1 and B-100 . BMI , blood pressure , and nutrient intake ( total energy , fat , protein , and fiber ) were also measured at baseline , during , and after dietary intervention . Results : No statistically significant differences were observed for total energy or percent of energy from protein , carbohydrate or fat . On the pistachio nut diet , a statistically significant decrease was seen for percent energy from saturated fat ( mean difference , −2.7 % ; 95 % CI , −5.4 % to −0.08 % ; p = 0.04 ) . On the pistachio nut diet , statistically significant increases were seen for percent energy from polyunsaturated fat ( mean difference , 6.5 % ; 95 % CI , 4.2 % to 8.9 % ; p<.0001 ) and fiber intake ( mean difference , 15 g ; 95 % CI , 8.4 g to 22 g ; p = 0.0003 ) . On the pistachio diet , statistically significant reductions were seen in TC/HDL-C ( mean difference , −0.38 ; 95 % CI , −0.57 to −0.19 ; p = 0.001 ) , LDL-C/HDL-C ( mean difference , −0.40 ; 95 % CI , −0.66 to −0.15 ; p = 0.004 ) , B-100/A-1 ( mean difference , −0.11 ; 95 % CI , −0.19 to −0.03 ; p = 0.009 ) and a statistically significant increase was seen in HDL-C ( mean difference , 2.3 ; 95 % CI , 0.48 to 4.0 ; p = 0.02 ) . No statistically significant differences were seen for total cholesterol , triglycerides , LDL-C , VLDL-C , apolipoprotein A-1 or apolipoprotein B-100 . No changes were observed in BMI or blood pressure . Conclusion : A diet consisting of 15 % of calories as pistachio nuts ( about 2–3 ounces per day ) over a four week period can favorably improve some lipid profiles in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia and may reduce risk of coronary disease Background Obesity is a chronic disease associated to an inflammatory process result ing in oxidative stress that leads to morpho-functional microvascular damage that could be improved by some dietary interventions . In this study , the intake of Brazil nuts ( Bertholletia excelsa ) , composed of bioactive substances like selenium , α- e γ- tocopherol , folate and polyunsaturated fatty acids , have been investigated on antioxidant capacity , lipid and metabolic profiles and nutritive skin microcirculation in obese adolescents . Methods Obese female adolescents ( n = 17 ) , 15.4 ± 2.0 years and BMI of 35.6 ± 3.3 kg/m2 , were r and omized 1:1 in two groups with the diet supplemented either with Brazil nuts [ BNG , n = 08 , 15 - 25 g/day ( equivalent to 3 to 5 units/day ) ] or placebo [ PG ( lactose ) , n = 09 , one capsule/day ] and followed for 16 weeks . Anthropometry , metabolic-lipid profiles , oxidative stress and morphological ( capillary diameters ) and functional [ functional capillary density , red blood cell velocity ( RBCV ) at baseline and peak ( RBCVmax ) and time ( TRBCVmax ) to reach it during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia , after 1 min arterial occlusion ] microvascular variables were assessed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy at baseline ( T0 ) and after intervention ( T1 ) . Results T0 characteristics were similar between groups . At T1 , BNG ( intra-group variation ) had increased selenium levels ( p = 0.02 ) , RBCV ( p = 0.03 ) and RBCVmax ( p = 0.03 ) and reduced total ( TC ) ( p = 0.02 ) and LDL-cholesterol ( p = 0.02 ) . Compared to PG , Brazil nuts intake reduced TC ( p = 0.003 ) , triglycerides ( p = 0.05 ) and LDL-ox ( p = 0.02 ) and increased RBCV ( p = 0.03 ) . Conclusion Brazil nuts intake improved the lipid profile and microvascular function in obese adolescents , possibly due to its high level of unsaturated fatty acids and bioactive substances . Trial Registration Clinical BACKGROUND AND AIMS Nuts have been demonstrated to improve several cardiovascular risk factors and the lipid profile in diabetic and pre-diabetic subjects . However , analysis of conventional serum lipid profiles does not completely explain the atherogenic risk associated with pre-diabetes . We therefore investigated whether chronic consumption of pistachio modifies the lipoprotein subclasses to a healthier profile in pre-diabetic subjects . METHODS AND RESULTS R and omized cross-over clinical trial in 54 subjects with pre-diabetes . Subjects consumed a pistachio-supplemented diet ( PD , 50 % carbohydrates , 33 % fat , including 57 g/d of pistachios daily ) and a control diet ( CD , 55 % carbohydrates , 30 % fat ) for 4 months each , separated by a 2-week wash-out . Diets were isocaloric and matched for protein , fiber and saturated fatty acids . Nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR ) was performed to determine changes in plasma lipoprotein subclasses . Small low-density lipoprotein particles ( sLDL-P ) significantly decreased after pistachio consumption compared to the nut-free diet ( P = 0.023 ) . The non-high-density lipoprotein particles ( non-HDL-P i.e. VLDL-P plus LDL-P ) significantly decreased under the PD compared to CD ( P = 0.041 ) . The percentage of sHDL-P increased by 2.23 % after the PD compared with a reduction of 0.08 % after the CD ( P = 0.014 ) . Consequently , the overall size of HDL-P significantly decreased in the PD ( P = 0.007 ) . CONCLUSION Chronic pistachio consumption could modify the lipoprotein particle size and subclass concentrations independently of changes in total plasma lipid profile , which may help to explain the decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality associated with those individuals who frequently consumed nuts . REGISTRATION NUMBER This study is registered at www . clinical trials.gov as NCT01441921 OBJECTIVES Previous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of regular consumption of pistachio nuts on glycemic , lipid , and oxidative stress parameters . The aim of this study was to determine its effect on vascular health , which has not been adequately studied so far . METHODS In this open label , r and omized parallel-group study , 60 adults with mild dyslipidemia were r and omized to lifestyle modification ( LSM ) alone or LSM with consumption of 80 g ( in-shell ) pistachios ( equivalent to 40 g or 1.5 oz shelled pistachios ) daily for 3 mo . Biochemical parameters , brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation ( BAFMD ) , and carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity ( cfPWV and baPWV , respectively ) were measured before and after the intervention . RESULTS At 3 mo , there was no change in any of the clinical or biochemical parameters in the LSM group . However , the patients in the pistachio group had a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ; 35.7 ± 8.8 mg/dL versus 37.8 ± 10.1 mg/dL ; P = 0.04 ) and a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( 137.2 ± 32.6 mg/dL versus 127.6 ± 34.0 mg/dL ; P = 0.02 ) , total cholesterol (TC)-to-HDL-C ratio ( 5.8 ± 1.3 mg/dL versus 5.3 ± 1.1 mg/dL ; P = 0.001 ) , and fasting blood sugar ( 88.8 ± 7.1 mg/dL versus 86.6 ± 6.3 mg/dL ; P = 0.05 ) . Additionally , whereas LSM alone was associated with no improvement in BAFMD or PWV , individuals in the pistachio group had significant reduction in left baPWV ( 1261.7 ± 187.5 cm/sec versus 1192.4 ± 152.5 cm/sec ; P = 0.02 ) and statistically nonsignificant improvement in most other parameters , including BAFMD . As a result , at 3 mo the patients in the pistachio group had lower cfPWV ( 770.9 ± 96.5 cm/sec versus 846.4 ± 162.0 cm/sec ; P = 0.08 ) , lower left baPWV ( 1192.4 ± 152.5 cm/sec versus 1326.3 ± 253.7 cm/sec ; P = 0.05 ) , and lower average baPWV ( 1208.2 ± 118.4 cm/sec versus 1295.8 ± 194.1 cm/sec ; P = 0.08 ) compared with the LSM group . Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant treatment effect of pistachio consumption on cfPWV , left baPWV , average baPWV , and BAFMD ( P = 0.037 , 0.01 , 0.07 , and 0.046 , respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that regular consumption of pistachio nuts not only improves glycemic and lipid parameters , but also results in improvements in vascular stiffness and endothelial function . Importantly , these improvements were seen in apparently healthy individuals and with a diet ( including pistachios ) and exercise regimen that every adult individual is expected to follow BACKGROUND Elevated serum cholesterol levels play an important role in the development of coronary artery disease . Previous studies have suggested that nut consumption benefits lipid profile .  Pistachio nuts are widely available , inexpensive and frequently consumed by the general population . OBJECTIVE To determine whether substituting 20 % of the daily caloric intake in the form of pistachio nuts will improve the lipid profiles of humans with primary , moderate hypercholesterolemia . DESIGN Controlled , r and omized crossover design . SETTING Outpatient dietary modification , counseling and blood analysis . PATIENTS Ten patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia . INTERVENTION Three weeks of dietary modification with 20 % caloric intake from pistachio nuts . MEASUREMENTS Body weight , blood pressure , total cholesterol , LDL , HDL , and triglycerides were monitored . Lipid profiles were analyzed prior to , during and after dietary modification . RESULTS After three weeks , there was a decrease in total cholesterol ( p<0.04 ) , an increase in HDL ( p<0.09 ) , a decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL ratio ( p<0.01 ) and a decrease in the LDL/HDL ratio ( p<0.02 ) . Triglycerides and LDL levels decreased , but not significantly . Body weight and blood pressure remained constant throughout the study . CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that eating pistachio nuts instead of other dietary fat calories can improve lipid profiles , thereby decreasing coronary risk . Further studies will be required to confirm these results and to determine the mechanism of this effect Background : Due to the wholesome benefits of nuts increased consumption of them has been recommended . However , because of nut 's high energy density , the role of them in the treatment of overweight and obesity is vague . This current clinical trial study aims to investigate the effects of a balanced hypocaloric almond-enriched diet ( AED ) ( almond group ) in comparison to a balanced hypocaloric nut-free diet ( NFD ) ( nut-free group ) on body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors in women with body mass index ( BMI ) > 25 for 3-month . Material s and Methods : A total of 108 overweight and obese women were assigned in our 3-month r and omized controlled trial . The subjects were r and omly divided into two groups regarding a balanced hypocaloric diet with or without almond . The planned reduced calorie diets for both groups were identical except for the almond group who consumed 50 g of almonds daily . Anthropometric and laboratory measurements of the participants who completed the study were made prior to and at the end of the study . Results : A total of 100 subjects completed the study .  Weight , BMI , waist circumference , waist to hip circumference ratio , total cholesterol , and triglyceride , total : High density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , fasting blood sugar and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the almond group compared to the nut-free group ( P > 0.001 ) . Greater reduction in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( P > 0.002 ) and systolic blood pressure ( P > 0.001 ) and greater increase in HDL-C ( P = 0.001 ) were found in the nut-free group . Conclusion : The balanced hypocaloric AED in comparison to the balanced hypocaloric NFD led to a greater weight-loss and overall better improvements in studied cardiovascular disease risk factors BACKGROUND Although dietary factors are suspected to be important determinants of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) risk , the direct evidence is relatively sparse . METHODS The Adventist Health Study is a prospect i ve cohort investigation of 31,208 non-Hispanic white California Seventh-Day Adventists . Extensive dietary information was obtained at baseline , along with the values of traditional coronary risk factors . These were related to risk of definite fatal CHD or definite nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion . RESULTS Subjects who consumed nuts frequently ( more than four times per week ) experienced substantially fewer definite fatal CHD events ( relative risk , 0.52 ; 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 0.36 to 0.76 ) and definite nonfatal myocardial infa rct ions ( relative risk , 0.49 ; 95 % CI , 0.28 to 0.85 ) , when compared with those who consumed nuts less than once per week . These findings persisted on covariate adjustment and were seen in almost all of 16 different subgroups of the population . Subjects who usually consumed whole wheat bread also experienced lower rates of definite nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion ( relative risk , 0.56 ; 95 % CI , 0.35 to 0.89 ) and definite fatal CHD ( relative risk , 0.89 ; 95 % CI , 0.60 to 1.33 ) when compared with those who usually ate white bread . Men who ate beef at least three times each week had a higher risk of definite fatal CHD ( relative risk , 2.31 ; 95 % CI , 1.11 to 4.78 ) , but this effect was not seen in women or for the nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion end point . CONCLUSION Our data strongly suggest that the frequent consumption of nuts may protect against risk of CHD events . The favorable fatty acid profile of many nuts is one possible explanation for such an effect This study was conducted to assess the cholesterol-lowering potential of macadamia nuts .  Seventeen hypercholesterolemic men ( mean age 54 y ) were given macadamia nuts ( 40 - 90 g/d ) , equivalent to 15 % energy intake , for 4 wk . Plasma total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , triglycerides and homocysteine concentrations and the fatty acid composition of plasma lipids were determined before and after treatment . Plasma MUFA 16:1(n-7 ) , 18:1(n-7 ) and 20:1(n-9 ) were elevated after intervention with macadamia nuts .  Plasma ( n-6 ) and ( n-3 ) PUFA concentrations were unaffected by macadamia nut consumption . Plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations decreased by 3.0 and 5.3 % , respectively , and HDL cholesterol levels increased by 7.9 % in hypercholesterolemic men after macadamia nut consumption . Plasma triglyceride and homocysteine concentrations were not affected by treatment . Macadamia nut consumption was associated with a significant increase in the relative intake of MUFA and a reduced relative intake of saturated fatty acids and PUFA . This study demonstrates that macadamia nut consumption as part of a healthy diet favorably modifies the plasma lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic men despite their diet being high in fat BACKGROUND  Nut consumption lowers cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk . Studies are lacking about the effects of pistachios , a nutrient-dense nut , on CVD risk factors , dose-response relations , and lipid-lowering mechanisms . OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effects of 2 doses of pistachios , added to a lower-fat diet , on lipids and lipoproteins , apolipoprotein (apo)-defined lipoprotein subclasses , and plasma fatty acids . To investigate the mechanisms of action , we measured cholesteryl ester transfer protein and indexes of plasma stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity ( SCD ) . DESIGN In a r and omized crossover controlled-feeding study , 28 individuals with LDL cholesterol > or = 2.86 mmol/L consumed 3 isoenergetic diets for 4 wk each . Baseline measures were assessed after 2 wk of a typical Western diet . The experimental diets included a lower-fat control diet with no pistachios [ 25 % total fat ; 8 % saturated fatty acids ( SFAs ) , 9 % monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFAs ) , and 5 % polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) ] , 1 serving/d of a pistachio diet ( 1 PD ; 10 % of energy from pistachios ; 30 % total fat ; 8 % SFAs , 12 % MUFAs , and 6 % PUFAs ) , and 2 servings/d of a pistachio diet ( 2 PD ; 20 % of energy from pistachios ; 34 % total fat ; 8 % SFAs , 15 % MUFAs , and 8 % PUFAs ) . RESULTS The 2 PD decreased ( P < 0.05 compared with the control diet ) total cholesterol ( -8 % ) , LDL cholesterol ( -11.6 % ) , non-HDL cholesterol ( -11 % ) , apo B ( -4 % ) , apo B/apo A-I ( -4 % ) , and plasma SCD activity ( -1 % ) . The 1 PD and 2 PD , respectively , elicited a dose-dependent lowering ( P < 0.05 ) of total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ( -1 % and -8 % ) , LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ( -3 % and -11 % ) , and non-HDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ( -2 % and -10 % ) . CONCLUSIONS Inclusion of pistachios in a healthy diet beneficially affects CVD risk factors in a dose-dependent manner , which may reflect effects on SCD BACKGROUND AND AIMS Virgin olive oil ( VOO ) and nuts are basic components of the Mediterranean diet , a heart-healthy dietary pattern . Nuts have well known cholesterol lowering effects , while evidence is unclear for VOO . We design ed a study in hypercholesterolemic patients to assess the effects on serum lipids and other intermediate markers of cardiovascular risk of replacing 40 % of the fat in the background diet with VOO , walnuts or almonds . METHODS AND RESULTS After a 4 week run-in period with a healthy diet , eligible c and i date s were r and omized into three diet sequences in a crossover design , with a common background diet enriched with VOO , walnuts or almonds , lasting 4 weeks each . Outcomes were changes of serum lipids and oxidation and inflammation markers , measured by st and ard methods . Plasma fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography to assess compliance . In 18 participants completing the study ( 9 women , mean age 56 y , BMI 25.7 kg/m(2 ) ) , LDL-cholesterol was reduced from baseline by 7.3 % , 10.8 % and 13.4 % after the VOO , walnut and almond diets , respectively ( P = 0.001 , Friedman test ) . Total cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratios decreased in parallel . LDL-cholesterol decreases were greater than predicted from dietary fatty acid and cholesterol exchanges among diets . No changes of other lipid fractions , oxidation analytes or inflammatory biomarkers were observed . Plasma fatty acid changes after each diet sequence supported good compliance . CONCLUSION The results confirm the cholesterol lowering properties of nut-enriched diets . They also suggest that phenolic-rich VOO has a cholesterol lowering effect independently of its fatty acid content , which clearly deserves further study OBJECTIVES Oxidation and level of plasma lipids are closely implicated in the development of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . Dietary almond supplementation may participate in beneficial effects on CHD lipid risk factor levels and their susceptibility to oxidative modification . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with almond on serum lipid levels and their relation to lipid oxidation parameters in men with mild hyperlipidemia . DESIGN Thirty ( 30 ) healthy volunteer men ( age 45.57 ± 7.14 years and body-mass index 24.29 ± 2.15 kg/m(2 ) ) with mild hyperlipidemia received 60 g almond daily  for 4 weeks . OUTCOME MEASURES Overnight fasting blood sample s were obtained before and after supplementation . Serum levels of lipids , lipoproteins , and apolipoproteins and copper-induced serum lipid oxidation were determined . Lipid oxidation was followed by monitoring of the change of conjugated dienes in diluted serum after addition of Cu(2 + ) . A number of quantitative parameters including lag-time , maximal rate of oxidation ( V-max ) , and maximal amount of lipid peroxide products ( OD-max ) were evaluated . RESULTS After 4 weeks , almond supplementation significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , total cholesterol ( TC ) , and apolipoprotein B100 ( apo-B100 ) . At baseline , there was little correlation between lipid risk factors and lipid oxidation parameters , but a positive correlation was observed between TC and lag-time ( r = 0.6 , p = 0.001 ) , negative correlation between TC with V-max and OD-max ( r = -0.65 , p < 0.001 and r = -0.61 , p = 0.001 ) , and also positive correlation between apo-B100 with V-max and OD-max ( r = 0.48 , p = 0.01 and r = 0.54 , p = 0.003 ) after almond supplementation . CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that almond supplementation , in addition to lowering effects on serum levels of CHD lipid risk factors , may contribute to a dramatic change in the relation of lipid risk factors and susceptibility of serum lipids to oxidative modification . This may be due to the distribution of different almond phenolic antioxidants in different components of serum including nonlipoprotein molecules such as serum albumin
Significant heterogeneity was not observed by nut type or other factors .
Tree nut intake  lowers total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , ApoB , and triglycerides .
The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type .
BACKGROUND The effects of nuts on major cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , including dose-responses and potential heterogeneity by nut type or phytosterol content , are not well established .
OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of tree nuts ( walnuts , pistachios , macadamia nuts , pecans , cashews , almonds , hazelnuts , and Brazil nuts ) on blood lipids [ total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides ] , lipoproteins [ apolipoprotein A1 , apolipoprotein B ( ApoB ) , and apolipoprotein B100 ] , blood pressure , and inflammation ( C-reactive protein ) in adults aged ≥18 y without prevalent CVD .