title: Nuts and plasma lipids: an almond-based diet lowers LDL-C while preserving HDL-C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare lipid-altering effects of an almond-based diet with an olive oil-based diet, against a cheese and butter-based control diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five free-living hyperlipidemic men (n = 12) and women (n = 33) with a mean plasma total cholesterol (TC) of 251 +/- 30 mg/dL followed one of three diets; almond-based, olive oil-based, or dairy-based for 4 weeks. Total fat in each diet was matched, and the study-provided sources of fat comprised the major portion of fat intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reductions in TC and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) between the three groups were significantly different from the almond group (both p < 0.001). Within group analysis revealed that the almond-based diet induced significant reductions in TC (p < 0.05), LDL-C (p < 0.001), and the TC:HDL ratio (p < 0.001), while HDL-C levels were preserved. TC and HDL-C in the control diet were significantly increased from baseline (both p < 0.05), while the olive oil-based diet resulted in no significant changes over the study period. Weight did not change significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that the more favorable lipid-altering effects induced by the almond group may be due to interactive or additive effects of the numerous bioactive constituents found in almonds.
authors.affiliation: Health Research and Studies Center, Los Altos, California 94023-0338, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Spiller
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bosello
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Cragen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bruce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol