Nuts and plasma lipids: an almond-based diet lowers LDL-C while preserving HDL-C.
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.
Spiller
G A
GA
Health Research and Studies Center, Los Altos, California 94023-0338, USA.
Jenkins
D A
DA
Bosello
O
O
Gates
J E
JE
Cragen
L N
LN
Bruce
B
B
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
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol