title: Almonds in the diet simultaneously improve plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and reduce plasma lipids.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the dose-response effect of almond intake on plasma and red blood cell tocopherol concentrations in healthy adults enrolled in a randomized, crossover feeding trial. Participants were 16 healthy men and women, aged 41+/-13 years. After a 2-week run-in period, participants were fed three diets for 4 weeks each: a control diet, a low-almond diet, and a high-almond diet, in which almonds contributed 0%, 10%, and 20% of total energy, respectively. Changes in blood tocopherol levels were assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography. Incorporating almonds into the diet helped meet the revised Recommended Dietary Allowance of 15 mg/day alpha-tocopherol and increased lipid-adjusted plasma and red blood cell alpha-tocopherol concentrations. A significant dose-response effect was observed between percent energy in the diet from almonds and plasma ratio of alpha-tocopherol to total cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Pera R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Jambazian
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Sujatha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajaram
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanzman
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sabaté
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D024503:beta-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D002784:Cholesterol; D024503:beta-Tocopherol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol