title: Effects of walnut consumption as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet on serum cardiovascular risk factors.
abstract: Serum components, such as lipoproteins, coagulation factors (factor VII, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), fibrinogen), and homocysteine have been associated with cardiovascular disease. Dietary intervention with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet has favorably influenced cardiovascular disease and certain food, specifically the consumption of nuts, has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. The effects of walnuts, as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, on serum cardiovascular risk factors were determined. Sixty-seven (67) outpatients with borderline high total cholesterol following a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet for six weeks before being randomly assigned to continue the diet or have 64 grams/day of walnuts in conjunction with the diet. After six weeks, the patients' diets were switched. Therefore, all patients consumed 64 grams/day of walnuts for six weeks during part of the trial as part of a low-fat, low cholesterol diet. Serum lipids demonstrated a significant reduction in triacyglycerols and favorable trend with decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and a slight increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. No statistical effects on homocysteine or the coagulation factors were observed. However, there was a slight favorable trend for tPA and PAI-1. This study demonstrated that walnuts, when consumed as part of a low fat, low-cholesterol diet, have a beneficial effect on serum cardiovascular risk factors. However, these changes may not explain all of the beneficial effects that walnut consumption has on cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa 19107, USA. John.Morgan@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Kalen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Capuzzi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D031324:Juglans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine