Effects of Poly-Bioactive Compounds on Lipid Profile and Body Weight in a Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Population with Low Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Multicenter Randomized Trial Mediterranean Diet Improves High-Density Lipoprotein Function in High-Cardiovascular-Risk Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial Relationship between Adiponectin and Leptin, and Blood Lipids in Hyperlipidemia Patients Treated with Red Yeast Rice Comparison of plasma lipids and vitamin E in young and middle-aged subjects on potato crisps fried in palmolein and highly oleic sunflower oil. Comparison of the effects of simultaneous administration of vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids on lipoproteins, apo A-I, apo B, and malondialdehyde in hyperlipidemic patients. Randomised trial of coconut oil, olive oil or butter on blood lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in healthy men and women Plasma lipid and lipoprotein response of humans to beef fat, coconut oil and safflower oil. A randomised controlled trial of increasing fruit and vegetable intake and how this influences the carotenoid concentration and activities of PON-1 and LCAT in HDL from subjects with type 2 diabetes Citrus fruit supplementation reduces lipoprotein oxidation in young men ingesting a diet high in saturated fat: presumptive evidence for an interaction between vitamins C and E in vivo. Corn oil improves the plasma lipoprotein lipid profile compared with extra-virgin olive oil consumption in men and women with elevated cholesterol: results from a randomized controlled feeding trial. Effects of lowering fat and increasing dietary fiber on fasting and postprandial plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet. Effects of a dietary supplement on cholesterol in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Vitamin D Supplementation and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Study in Healthy School Children The role of fatty acid saturation on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins: I. Effects of whole food diets high in cocoa butter, olive oil, soybean oil, dairy butter, and milk chocolate on the plasma lipids of young men. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Low fat and high monounsaturated fat diets decrease human low density lipoprotein oxidative susceptibility in vitro. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement.
A dietary supplement ( AP , Armolipid Plus ) that combines red yeast rice extract , policosanol , berberine , folic acid , coenzyme Q10 and asthaxantine can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) biomarkers . The aim of this study was to assess whether the intake of AP , in combination with dietary recommendations , reduces serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-c ) concentrations and other CVD biomarkers in patients with hypercholesterolemia . Eligible patients were recruited from the outpatient clinics of six Spanish hospitals Hospital Virgen del Rocío ( Sevilla ) ; Hospital San Jorge ( Huesca ) ; Hospital San Pedro ( Logroño ) ; Hospital Gregorio Marañón ( Madrid ) , Hospital la Fe ( Valencia ) and Hospital Universitari Sant Joan ( Reus ) as recruiting and coordinating center . 102 participants ( mean age ± SD ; 50.91±11.61 ; 32 men ) with low CVD , with mild-to-moderately elevated LDL-c ( between 3.35 mmol/L and 4.88 mmol/L ) without hypolipemic therapy were r and omized in a double-blind , parallel , controlled , multicenter trial commencing January 2012 and ending December 2012 . Among the exclusion criteria were any concomitant chronic disease , triglycerides ( TG ) > 3.97 mmol/L , pregnant or lactating , and history of CVD . At 12 weeks , compared to placebo , AP reduced LDL-c by −6.9 % , apolipoprotein ( Apo ) B-100 by −6.6 % and total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio by −5.5 % , the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio by −8.6 % , while increasing ApoA1 by + 2.5 % ( p<0.05 ) . AP consumption was associated with modest mean weight loss of −0.93 kg ( 95%CI : -1.74 to -0.12 ; P = 0.02 ) compared with control group while dietary composition remained unchanged in the AP group . The AP product was well tolerated . In conclusion , AP , combined with dietary recommendations , reduced LDL-c levels as well as total cholesterol/HDL-c and ApoB/ApoA1 ratios , while increasing Apo A1 , all of which are improvements in CVD risk indicators . AP is a product which could benefit patients having moderate hyperlipidemia and excess body weight . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov Background : The biological functions of high-density lipoproteins ( HDLs ) contribute to explaining the cardioprotective role of the lipoprotein beyond quantitative HDL cholesterol levels . A few small-scale interventions with a single antioxidant have improved some HDL functions . However , to date , no long-term , large-scale , r and omized controlled trial has been conducted to assess the effects of an antioxidant-rich dietary pattern ( such as a traditional Mediterranean diet [ TMD ] ) on HDL function in humans . Methods : This study was performed in a r and om sub sample of volunteers from the PREDIMED Study ( Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea ; n=296 ) after a 1-year intervention . We compared the effects of 2 TMDs , one enriched with virgin olive oil ( TMD-VOO ; n=100 ) and the other enriched with nuts ( TMD-Nuts ; n=100 ) , with respect to a low-fat control diet ( n=96 ) . We assessed the effects of both TMDs on the role of HDL particles on reverse cholesterol transport ( cholesterol efflux capacity , HDL ability to esterify cholesterol , and cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity ) , HDL antioxidant properties ( paraoxonase-1 arylesterase activity and total HDL antioxidant capacity on low-density lipoproteins ) , and HDL vasodilatory capacity ( HDL ability to induce the release of nitric oxide in endothelial cells ) . We also studied the effects of a TMD on several HDL quality -related characteristics ( HDL particle oxidation , resistance against oxidative modification , main lipid and protein composition , and size distribution ) . Results : Both TMDs increased cholesterol efflux capacity relative to baseline ( P=0.018 and P=0.013 for TMD-VOO and TMD-Nuts , respectively ) . The TMD-VOO intervention decreased cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity ( relative to baseline , P=0.028 ) and increased HDL ability to esterify cholesterol , paraoxonase-1 arylesterase activity , and HDL vasodilatory capacity ( relative to control , P=0.039 , P=0.012 , and P=0.026 , respectively ) . Adherence to a TMD induced these beneficial changes by improving HDL oxidative status and composition . The 3 diets increased the percentage of large HDL particles ( relative to baseline , P<0.001 ) . Conclusions : The TMD , especially when enriched with virgin olive oil , improved HDL atheroprotective functions in humans . Clinical Trial Registration : URL : http://www.controlled-trials.com . Unique identifier : IS RCT N35739639 Background : This study aim ed to investigate the possible relationships between adiponectin and leptin , blood lipids such as total cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and triglycerides ( TG ) as well as other clinical biomarkers in hyperlipidemia patients treated with red yeast rice .  Methods : 30 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were recruited , treated with red rice yeast capsules 600 mg twice a day for 8 weeks , and followed up for 4 weeks . The primary endpoint was the mean difference in LDL-C from baseline to week 8 , while the secondary endpoints were the mean percentage changes from baseline of total cholesterol , TG , HDL-C , adiponectin , and leptin . Results : At week 8 , the decrease in LDL-C and total cholesterol was -38.11 ± 30.90 mg/dl ( p < 0.0001 ) and -44.54 ± 27.46 mg/dl ( p < 0.0001 ) , respectively , and the increase in adiponectin was 35.83 ± 67.85 μg/ml ( p = 0.017 ) as compared to baseline . Adiponectin also correlated positively with HDL-C ( r2 = 0.39 ; p = 0.001 ) . Serum leptin correlated negatively with TG ( r2 = 0.19 ; p = 0.035 ) , and there was a trend of correlation between leptin and HDL-C , but this was not statistically significant ( r2 = 0.16 ; p = 0.052 ) . Conclusion : Red yeast rice can significantly increase adiponectin and can significantly lower LDL-C and total cholesterol levels . Adiponectin correlates positively with HDL-C while serum leptin correlates negatively with TG  . Red yeast rice has a potentially protective effect in obesity-related and cardiovascular diseases We previously found no difference in healthy young adults '  plasma cholesterols between palmolein and olive oil as the major dietary lipid , although the former is high in palmitic acid ( 16:0 ) but the latter in oleic acid ( 18:1 cis ) . In the experiment reported here we compared the effects of palmolein against another monounsaturated oil , highly oleic sunflower oil ( HOSO ) , on plasma cholesterol in both young and middle-aged healthy adults . The test oils were provided as frying oil of potato crisps ( 150 g/day in men ; 100 g/day in women ) against low-fat background diets in free-living motivated volunteers . The design was a r and omised double-blind 4-week/3-week crossover trial . Compliance was monitored with continuous dietary diaries and by measuring ( fasting ) plasma lipid fatty-acid pattern . Plasma lipids and vitamin-E compounds were measured at the start and twice at the end of each test period . In combined young plus older subjects ( n = 42 )  mean plasma total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-c ) values were both 7 % ( significantly ) lower on HOSO than on palmolein , but because high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-c ) was also 5 % lower , the LDL-c/HDL-c ratio was only 3 % lower on HOSO than on palmolein . The difference between the present results with HOSO and previous results with olive oil both compared against palmolein suggest that olive oil is associated with higher plasma cholesterols than other monounsaturated oils . In both the young and older subgroup , LDL-c was lower on HOSO but because HDL-c moved down too in the young subgroup , the LDL-c/HDL-c ratio was lower on HOSO only in the older subjects . Palmolein has an unusual pattern of E vitamins , with a high content of tocotrienols , notably the gamma-isomer . Unlike alpha-tocopherol however , there was no sign of these tocotrienols in subjects ' plasmas BACKGROUND Control of hyperlipidemia is vital in patients with cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) .  Omega-3 fatty acids ( n-3FAs ) have desirable effects on serum triglyceride ( TG ) levels , thrombosis , and arrhythmia , but lead to increases in serum low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) and apo-B as well . OBJECTIVE To determine and compare the effects of administration of n-3FAs , vitamin C ( VitC ) and n-3FAs + VitC on the serum levels of LDL , apoB , other serum lipids , and malondialdehyde ( MDA ) . The present study was performed in Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2000 to 2001 . DESIGN In a double-blind , placebo trial of parallel design , 68 hyperlipidemic patients [ total cholesterol ( TC ) and TG greater than 200 mg/dL ] were r and omly assigned to receive daily 500 mg VitC , 1 g n-3FAs , 500 mg VitC + 1 g n-3FAs , or placebo ( control ) for 10 weeks . Fasting blood sample s were collected at the beginning and at the end of the period . TG , TC , LDL-cholesterol-C ( LDL-C ) , and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) were measured enzymatically , VitC and MDA colorimetrically , and apo-B and apo-A-I immunoturbidometrically . The pattern of food consumption , socio-economic , and anthropometric indices were determined ; there was no significant change in these indices during the study . RESULTS There was a significant difference in the blood VitC level at the end of the study in comparison to the initial value in the VitC ( p = 0.001 ) and VitC + n-3FAs ( p = 0.027 ) groups . Similarly , the serum TG level at the end of study was significantly different from the initial value in the n-3FAs group ( p = 0.002 ) and also from the final value in the control group ( p = 0.013 ) . In the VitC group , there was a significant decrease in TC ( p = 0.004 ) , apo-B ( p = 0.005 ) , and MDA ( p = 0.015 ) at the end of study as compared to the respective initial values . There was also a significant increase in blood VitC compared to the control value ( p = 0.018 ) and a significant decrease in MDA compared to the n-3FAs group ( p = 0.034 ) . At the end of study , in the n-3FAs group , there was a significant ( p = 0.04 ) and a marginally significant decrease ( p = 0.05 ) , respectively , in TG/HDL and apo-B levels as compared to the initial values , and the TG/HDL ratio showed a significant decrease as compared to the control group ( p = 0.047 ) . CONCLUSION Simultaneous administration of n-3FAs and VitC had no beneficial effects on the lipid profile of hyperlipidemic patients , but 1 g purified n-3FAs daily for 10 weeks is a beneficial supplement for decreasing TG without any increase in LDL-C , apo-B or MDA . Administration of 500 mg VitC for more than 10 weeks might decrease significantly TC and apo-B in hyperlipidemic patients Introduction High dietary saturated fat intake is associated with higher blood concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , an established risk factor for coronary heart disease . However , there is increasing interest in whether various dietary oils or fats with different fatty acid profiles such as extra virgin coconut oil may have different metabolic effects but trials have reported inconsistent results . We aim ed to compare changes in blood lipid profile , weight , fat distribution and metabolic markers after four weeks consumption of 50 g daily of one of three different dietary fats , extra virgin coconut oil , butter or extra virgin olive oil , in healthy men and women in the general population . Design R and omised clinical trial conducted over June and July 2017 . Setting General community in Cambridgeshire , UK . Participants Volunteer adults were recruited by the British Broadcasting Corporation through their websites . Eligibility criteria were men and women aged 50–75 years , with no known history of cancer , cardiovascular disease or diabetes , not on lipid lowering medication , no contraindications to a high-fat diet and willingness to be r and omised to consume one of the three dietary fats for 4 weeks . Of 160 individuals initially expressing an interest and assessed for eligibility , 96 were r and omised to one of three interventions ; 2 individuals subsequently withdrew and 94 men and women attended a baseline assessment . Their mean age was 60 years , 67 % were women and 98 % were European Caucasian . Of these , 91 men and women attended a follow-up assessment 4 weeks later . Intervention Participants were r and omised to extra virgin coconut oil , extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter and asked to consume 50 g daily of one of these fats for 4 weeks , which they could incorporate into their usual diet or consume as a supplement . Main outcomes and measures The primary outcome was change in serum LDL-C ; secondary outcomes were change in total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( TC and HDL-C ) , TC/HDL-C ratio and non-HDL-C ; change in weight , body mass index ( BMI ) , waist circumference , per cent body fat , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , fasting plasma glucose and C reactive protein . Results LDL-C concentrations were significantly increased on butter compared with coconut oil ( + 0.42 , 95 % CI 0.19 to 0.65 mmol/L , P<0.0001 ) and with olive oil ( + 0.38 , 95 % CI 0.16 to 0.60 mmol/L , P<0.0001 ) , with no differences in change of LDL-C in coconut oil compared with olive oil ( −0.04 , 95 % CI −0.27 to 0.19 mmol/L , P=0.74 ) . Coconut oil significantly increased HDL-C compared with butter ( + 0.18 , 95 % CI 0.06 to 0.30 mmol/L ) or olive oil ( + 0.16 , 95 % CI 0.03 to 0.28 mmol/L ) . Butter significantly increased TC/HDL-C ratio and non-HDL-C compared with coconut oil but coconut oil did not significantly differ from olive oil  for TC/HDL-C and non-HDL-C. There were no significant differences in changes in weight , BMI , central adiposity , fasting blood glucose , systolic or diastolic blood pressure among any of the three intervention groups . Conclusions and relevance Two different dietary fats ( butter and coconut oil ) which are predominantly saturated fats , appear to have different effects on blood lipids compared with olive oil , a predominantly monounsaturated fat with coconut oil more comparable to olive oil with respect to LDL-C. The effects of different dietary fats on lipid profiles , metabolic markers and health outcomes may vary not just according to the general classification of their main component fatty acids as saturated or unsaturated but possibly according to different profiles in individual fatty acids , processing methods as well as the foods in which they are consumed or dietary patterns . These findings do not alter current dietary recommendations to reduce saturated fat intake in general but highlight the need for further elucidation of the more nuanced relationships between different dietary fats and health . Trial registration number NCT03105947 ; Results This study 's purpose was to evaluate the fasting human plasma lipid and lipoprotein responses to dietary beef fat ( BF ) by comparison with coconut oil ( CO ) and safflower oil ( SO ) , fats customarily classified as saturated and polyunsaturated .  Nineteen free-living normolipidemic men aged 25.6 + /- 3.5 yr consumed central ly-prepared lunches and dinners of common foods having 35 % fat calories , 60 % of which was the test fat . The test fats were isocalorically substituted , and each fed for five weeks in r and om sequences with intervening five weeks of habitual diets .  Plasma total cholesterol ( TC ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) concentrations among individuals follows the same relative rank regardless of diet . Triglycerides ( TG ) concentrations among individuals also maintain their relative rank regardless of diet but in a different order from that of the cholesterols . Plasma TC , HDL-C , and LDL-C responses to BF were significantly lower and TG higher than to CO . As compared to SO , BF produced equivalent levels of TG , HDL-C , and LDL-C and marginally higher TC . Thus , the customary consideration of BF as " saturated " and grouping it with CO appears unwarranted Background High density lipoproteins ( HDL ) have many cardioprotective roles ; however , in subjects with type 2 diabetes ( T2D ) these cardioprotective properties are diminished . Conversely , increased fruit and vegetable ( F&V ) intake may reduce cardiovascular disease risk , although direct trial evidence of a mechanism by which this occurs in subjects with T2D is lacking . Therefore , the aim of this study was to examine if increased F&V consumption influenced the carotenoid content and enzymes associated with the antioxidant properties of HDL in subjects with T2D . Methods Eighty obese subjects with T2D were r and omised to a 1- or ≥6-portion/day F&V diet for  8-weeks . Fasting serum was collected pre- and post-intervention . HDL was subfractionated into HDL2 and HDL3 by rapid ultracentrifugation . Carotenoids were measured in serum , HDL2 and HDL3 by high performance liquid chromatography . The activity of paraoxonase-1 ( PON-1 ) was measured in serum , HDL2 and HDL3 by a spectrophotometric assay , while the activity of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase ( LCAT ) was measured in serum , HDL2 and HDL3 by a fluorometric assay . Results In the ≥6- vs. 1-portion post-intervention comparisons , carotenoids increased in serum , HDL2 and particularly HDL3 , ( α-carotene , p = 0.008 ; β-cryptoxanthin , p = 0.042 ; lutein , p = 0.012 ; lycopene , p = 0.016 ) , as did the activities of PON-1 and LCAT in HDL3 ( p = 0.006 and 0.044 , respectively ) . Conclusion To our knowledge , this is the first study in subjects with T2D to demonstrate that increased F&V intake augmented the carotenoid content and influenced enzymes associated with the antioxidant properties of HDL . We suggest that these changes would enhance the cardioprotective properties of this lipoprotein . Clinical trial registration IS RCT To determine the effects of vitamin C on cardiovascular risk factors , we studied dietary vitamin C enrichment in 36 healthy male students consuming a diet high in saturated fatty acids . After a 1-mo run-in period during which the subjects consumed approximately 50 mg ascorbic acid/d ( low-C diet ) , half of the subjects were r and omly assigned to receive 500 mg ascorbic acid/d for an additional 2 mo ( high-C diet ) . Plasma ascorbic acid increased from 13.5 micromol/L with the low-C diet to 51.7 micromol/L with the high-C diet . Plasma cholesterol increased slightly with the high-C diet , but not above baseline concentrations . This increase was offset by an increase in the lag period of in vitro LDL oxidation , which correlated with plasma ascorbic acid concentrations ( r = 0.735 , P = 0.0012 ) . Lipoprotein vitamin E concentrations were unchanged with the two diets . There were no effects on concentrations of fibrinogen or factor VII . The fact that ascorbic acid reduced the in vitro susceptibility of lipoproteins to oxidation provides presumptive evidence for an interaction between aqueous and lipophilic antioxidants ( vitamins C and E ) in maintaining the integrity of LDL particles BACKGROUND Restricted intakes of saturated and trans-fatty acids is emphasized in heart-healthy diets , and replacement with poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids is encouraged . OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich corn oil ( CO ) and monounsaturated fatty acid-rich extra-virgin olive oil ( EVOO ) on plasma lipids in men and women ( N = 54 ) with fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) ≥130 mg/dL and < 200 mg/dL and triglycerides ( TG ) ≤350 mg/dL. METHODS In a double-blind , r and omized , crossover design ( 21-day treatments , 21-day washout between ) , 4 tablespoons/day CO or EVOO were provided in 3 servings study product/day ( muffin , roll , yogurt ) as part of a weight-maintenance diet ( ∼35 % fat , < 10 % saturated fat , < 300 mg cholesterol ) . Subjects ate breakfast at the clinic every weekday throughout the study . Lunches , dinners , and snacks ( and breakfasts on weekends ) were provided for consumption away from the clinic . RESULTS Baseline mean ( st and ard error ) lipids in mg/dL were : LDL-C 153.3 ( 3.5 ) , total cholesterol ( total-C ) 225.7 ( 3.9 ) , non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL)-C 178.3 ( 3.7 ) , HDL-C 47.4 ( 1.7 ) , total-C/HDL-C 5.0 ( 0.2 ) , and TG 124.8 ( 7.2 ) . CO result ed in significantly larger least-squares mean % changes ( all P < .001 vs EVOO ) from baseline in LDL-C -10.9 vs -3.5 , total-C -8.2 vs -1.8 , non-HDL-C -9.3 vs -1.6 , and total-C/HDL-C -4.4 vs 0.5 . TG rose a smaller amount with CO , 3.5 vs 13.0 % with EVOO ( P = .007 ) . HDL-C responses were not significantly different between conditions ( -3.4 vs -1.7 % ) . CONCLUSION Consumption of CO in a weight-maintenance , low saturated fat and cholesterol diet result ed in more favorable changes in LDL-C and other atherogenic lipids vs EVOO The aim of this study was to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of reducing fat and increasing or not increasing dietary fiber in subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet . Thirty-one free-living , mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects were r and omly allocated to two groups . Subjects in both groups first shifted for 4 wk to a low-fat , low-fiber diet ( LFLFD ) . For an additional 4-wk period , subjects in group 1 continued consuming the LFLFD whereas subjects in group 2 consumed a low-fat , high-fiber diet ( LFHFD ) . Most dietary fatty acids were monounsaturated ( 38 - 41 % ) and fibers , when provided ( up to 35 g/d ) , came from unrefined cereals , legumes , and soluble-fiber-enriched ready-to-eat cereals . After period 1 of the LFLFD , mean serum and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations of subjects in groups 1 ( -12.5 % and -15.5 % , respectively ) and 2 ( -10.5 % and -15.5 % , respectively ) decreased significantly from baseline ( P < 0.05 ) . After period 2 , mean serum and LDL-cholesterol concentrations of subjects consuming the LFLFD ( group 1 ) were still lower ( by 8.8 % and 9.2 % , respectively , from baseline ) whereas in subjects consuming the LFHFD ( group 2 ) these values decreased further to significantly lower values ( 14.2 % and 17.6 % from baseline , respectively ) . Fasting high-density-lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol , apolipoprotein A-I , glycemia , and insulinemia did not change significantly . In seven men , postpr and ial lipemia transiently increased more after a breakfast test meal at the completion of the LFHFD period than after the LFLFD period . In conclusion , an LFHFD more comparable with the traditional Mediterranean diet may improve the dietary management of moderate hypercholesterolemia BACKGROUND AND AIMS Prospect i ve studies have demonstrated that the risk of death due to ischaemic heart disease is strongly correlated with blood cholesterol ( TC ) levels . Diet is the basic treatment for all dyslipidaemia . If diet alone proves inadequate , supplements can be used to try to reduce cholesterol levels . These substances are indicated in moderate dyslipidaemia , as they are able to induce a moderate reduction in blood cholesterol . The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of a dietary supplement containing Omega-3 , Policosanol , Resveratrol , L-carnitine , Monascus purpureus , Coenzyme Q10 , Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 on TC ( primary end point ) and LDL , triglycerides and HDL ( secondary endpoints ) . PATIENTS AND METHODS The study involved 40 men and 40 women recruited from the outpatient section of our Department r and omly assigned to the treatment group ( A ) or the control group ( B ) . RESULTS There was a statistically significant reduction in TC 6 months after the end of treatment in both groups . In Group A , there was also a statistically significant change in HDL , LDL and TG , while in group B , there was no statistically significant change in HDL , LDL or TG . CONCLUSIONS The dietary supplement used in our study , in combination with a balanced diet and physical exercise , was found to induce a significant reduction in TC and LDL-C and an improvement in HDL-C. In contrast , while a balanced diet together with physical exercise but without the dietary supplement produced a significant reduction in TC , it had no significant effect on the other lipid parameters tested Background The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) level has been shown to have a significant role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis . Low vitamin D levels have been shown to be correlated with dyslipidemia , but limited data exist on indigenous children . Objectives We aim ed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on HDL-C levels in school-aged Iranian children . Methods In this prospect i ve controlled clinical trial , 47 healthy children ( 23 boys ) aged 10 - 14 years , students of Birj and ( Iran ) elementary schools , were selected and r and omly divided into two groups . The study group received a vitamin D supplement ( 1000 mg capsule ) daily for one month , and placebo tablets were prescribed to the controls . Before and after the treatment course , the serum HDL-C and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of both groups were measured . The data were analyzed by SPSS , ver . 16 , and Chi-square tests , Fisher ’s exact test , paired- sample t-tests , and Pearson ’s correlation were used , wherever appropriate . The significance level was set at P < 0.05 . Results Forty children completed the study ; their mean age was 11.5 ± 1.175 years .  The mean serum levels of both HDL-C and vitamin D showed a significant rise following the treatment in the study group ( P = 0.007 and P < 0.001 , respectively ) , whereas both variables decreased slightly in the control group ( P = 0.27 ) . There was no statistically significant difference in the mean serum levels of HDL-C and vitamin D between the two groups after the intervention ( P = 0.11 and P = 0.20 , respectively ) . Conclusions Vitamin D supplements seem to have a positive impact on serum HDL-C levels and may be effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the long term The present studies were conducted to evaluate the cholesterolemic effects of whole-food diets high in stearic acid . In study no. 1 , normocholesterolemic young men were fed diets high in stearic acid provided by cocoa butter ( CB ) ; oleic acid provided by olive oil ( OO ) ; linoleic acid provided by soybean oil ( SO ) ; and myristic acid ( and lauric acid ) provided by dairy butter ( B ) . In study no. 2 , different subjects with similar baseline characteristics were fed diets high in stearic acid provided by milk chocolate ( C ) , CB , CB+B ( 4:1 , MIX ) , and myristic ( and lauric ) acid provided by B. Both studies used a r and omized , crossover , double-blind experimental design , and experimental subjects ( n = 18 for study no. 1 and n = 15 for study no. 2 ) in each study consumed every diet for 26 days with a 1-month wash-out period between each experimental period . The diets provided 37 % of calories from fat , of which 81 % was provided by the test fat . Ten ounces ( 280 g ) C was provided daily by the C diet . In study no. 1 , the B diet was hypercholesterolemic , whereas the SO diet was hypocholesterolemic , compared with the other diets . The OO and SO diets were hypocholesterolemic compared with the CB diet . Low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol levels , in general , paralleled the changes in plasma total cholesterol levels . SO significantly decreased apolipoprotein ( apo ) B levels compared with the other diets . Plasma very-low density lipoprotein ( VLDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol , and apo A-I levels were unaffected by the experimental diets . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of alpha-lipoic acid ( ALA ) supplementation on inflammation , oxidative stress , and serum lipid profile levels in hemodialysis ( HD ) patients . DESIGN This was a double-blinded , r and omized , placebo-controlled clinical trial . SETTING The present study involved HD centers in Tabriz , Iran . PATIENTS Participants included 63 patients with end-stage renal disease ( 43 men and 20 women ; age range : 22 - 79 years ) undergoing maintenance HD . INTERVENTION HD patients were r and omly assigned into the supplemented group ( n = 31 ) , receiving a daily dose of ALA ( 600 mg ) , or a control group ( n = 32 ) , receiving placebo for 8 weeks . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES High sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , malondialdehyde , total antioxidant status , total cholesterol , triglyceride , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of supplementation . RESULTS At the end of intervention , 11 patients were excluded from the study .  HsCRP levels decreased by 18.7 % in the supplemented group after 8 weeks of supplementation , and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group ( P < .05 ) ; this finding was also significant after adjusting for baseline values of hsCRP . The mean malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status levels did not change significantly in the 2 groups during the study . The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations increased significantly in the supplemented group at the end of the study ( P < .05 ) ; however , this improvement was not statistically significant as compared with the placebo group . No significant alterations were observed in the other lipid profile parameters within each group during the study . CONCLUSION ALA supplementation significantly reduced hsCRP levels , which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in HD patients Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein ( LDL ) is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis . Some studies have found that LDL enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFA ) are less susceptible to oxidation than LDL enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA ) . A high MUFA diet is an alternative to a lower-fat blood cholesterol-lowering diet . Less is known about the effects of high MUFA versus lower-fat blood cholesterol-lowering diets on LDL oxidative susceptibility . The present study was design ed to evaluate the effects of men and women consuming diets high in MUFA ( peanuts plus peanut butter , peanut oil and olive oil ) on LDL oxidative susceptibility  , and to compare these effects with those of a Step II blood cholesterol-lowering diet . A r and omized , double-blind , five-period crossover design ( n = 20 ) was used to study the effects of the following diets on LDL-oxidation : average American [ 35 % fat , 15 % saturated fatty acids ( SFA ) ] , Step II ( 25 % fat , 7 % SFA ) , olive oil ( 35 % fat , 7 % SFA ) , peanut oil ( 35 % fat , 7 % SFA ) and peanuts plus peanut butter ( 35 % fat , 8 % SFA ) . The average American diet result ed in the shortest lag time ( 57 + /- 6 min ) for LDL oxidized ex vivo , whereas the Step II , olive oil and peanuts plus peanut butter diets result ed in a lag time of 66 + /- 6 min ( P < or = 0.1 ) . The slower rate of oxidation [ nmol dienes/(min x mg LDL protein ) ] observed when subjects consumed the olive oil diet ( 24 + /- 2 ) versus the average American ( 28 + /- 2 ) , peanut oil ( 28 + /- 2 ) and peanuts plus peanut butter diets ( 29 + /- 2 ; P < or = 0.05 ) was associated with a lower LDL PUFA content . The results of this study suggest that lower-fat and higher-fat blood cholesterol-lowering diets high in MUFA have similar effects on LDL oxidative resistance . In addition , our results suggest that different high MUFA sources varying in the ratio of MUFA to PUFA can be incorporated into a high MUFA diet without increasing the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation BACKGROUND We examined the cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice supplement in an American population consuming a diet similar to the American Heart Association Step I diet using a double-blind , placebo-controlled , prospect ively r and omized 12-wk controlled trial at a university research center . OBJECTIVE We evaluated the lipid-lowering effects of this red-yeast-rice dietary supplement in US adults separate from effects of diet alone . DESIGN Eighty-three healthy subjects ( 46 men and 37 women aged 34 - 78 y ) with hyperlipidemia [ total cholesterol , 5.28 - 8.74 mmol/L ( 204 - 338 mg/dL ) ; LDL cholesterol , 3.31 - 7.16 mmol/L ( 128 - 277 mg/dL ) ; triacylglycerol , 0.62 - 2.78 mmol/L ( 55 - 246 mg/dL ) ; and HDL cholesterol 0.78 - 2.46 mmol/L ( 30 - 95 mg/dL ) ] who were not being treated with lipid-lowering drugs participated . Subjects were treated with red yeast rice ( 2.4 g/d ) or placebo and instructed to consume a diet providing 30 % of energy from fat , < 10 % from saturated fat , and < 300 mg cholesterol daily . Main outcome measures were total cholesterol , total triacylglycerol , and HDL and LDL cholesterol measured at weeks 8 , 9 , 11 , and 12 . RESULTS Total cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly between baseline and 8 wk in the red-yeast-rice-treated group compared with the placebo-treated group [ ( x+/-SD ) 6.57+/-0.93 mmol/L ( 254+/-36 mg/dL ) to 5.38+/-0.80 mmol/L ( 208+/-31 mg/dL ) ; P < 0.001 ] . LDL cholesterol and total triacylglycerol were also reduced with the supplement . HDL cholesterol did not change significantly . CONCLUSIONS Red yeast rice significantly reduces total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , and total triacylglycerol concentrations compared with placebo and provides a new , novel , food-based approach to lowering cholesterol in the general population
The results of this systematic review indicate that the dietary supplementation with red yeast rice , bergamot , artichoke , and virgin olive oil has promising effects on the increase of HDL-C serum levels .
The artichoke leaf extract and virgin olive oil appear to be particularly interesting , while bergamot extract needs further research and the effect of red yeast rice seems to be limited to patients with previous myocardial infa rct ion .
Various MediterrAsian diet products or natural extracts may represent a potential intervention treatment to raise HDL-C in dyslipidemic subjects
Background .
High HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) values are negatively correlated with cardiovascular diseases .
This review analyses the effect of the supplementation with various Mediterranean diet products ( artichoke , bergamot , and olive oil ) and Asian diet products ( red yeast rice ) on the  HDL-C value in dyslipidemic subjects .