title: Effect of a moderate fat diet with and without avocados on lipoprotein particle number, size and subclasses in overweight and obese adults: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Avocados are a nutrient-dense source of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that can be used to replace saturated fatty acids (SFA) in a diet to lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Well-controlled studies are lacking on the effect of avocado consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was conducted with 45 overweight or obese participants with baseline LDL-C in the 25th to 90th percentile. Three cholesterol-lowering diets (6% to 7% SFA) were fed (5 weeks each): a lower-fat diet (LF: 24% fat); 2 moderate-fat diets (34% fat) provided similar foods and were matched for macronutrients and fatty acids: the avocado diet (AV) included one fresh Hass avocado (136 g) per day, and the moderate-fat diet (MF) mainly used high oleic acid oils to match the fatty acid content of one avocado. Compared with baseline, the reduction in LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol on the AV diet (-13.5 mg/dL, -14.6 mg/dL) was greater (P<0.05) than the MF (-8.3 mg/dL, -8.7 mg/dL) and LF (-7.4 mg/dL, -4.8 mg/dL) diets. Furthermore, only the AV diet significantly decreased LDL particle number (LDL-P, -80.1 nmol/L, P=0.0001), small dense LDL cholesterol (LDL(3+4), -4.1 mg/dL, P=0.04), and the ratio of LDL/HDL (-6.6%, P<0.0001) from baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inclusion of one avocado per day as part of a moderate-fat, cholesterol-lowering diet has additional LDL-C, LDL-P, and non-HDL-C lowering effects, especially for small, dense LDL. Our results demonstrate that avocados have beneficial effects on cardio-metabolic risk factors that extend beyond their heart-healthy fatty acid profile.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01235832.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (L.W., J.A.F., P.M.K.E.).
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Hospitality Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (P.L.B.) Center for Food Innovation, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (P.L.B.).
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bordi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (L.W., J.A.F., P.M.K.E.).
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia (A.M.H.).
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (L.W., J.A.F., P.M.K.E.).
authors.forename: Penny M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kris-Etherton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010316:Particle Size; D027421:Persea; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D008074:Lipoproteins
keywords: MUFA; avocados; cardiovascular disease; diet; fatty acids; lipids; lipoproteins