title: Macadamia nut consumption lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic men.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. manohar.garg@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Manohar L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Ron B H
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Wills
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006710:Homocysteine; D002784:Cholesterol