title: Statins and almonds to lower lipoproteins (the STALL Study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dietary supplementation with almonds has demonstrated dose-dependent decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), likely because of their composition of beneficial nutrients including mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, and protein.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this study was to determine the changes in the lipid profile (LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides, total cholesterol, non-HDL-C), LDL-C particle size, and lipoprotein (a) when 100 g of almonds daily were added to background statin therapy for 4 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects (N = 48) receiving a consistent statin dose were randomized to 100 g of almonds daily and to The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel's third report Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet counseling (almond group; n = 22) or solely Adult Treatment Panel's third report Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet counseling (non-almond group; n = 26), for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant changes in weight and weekly physical activity were noted between the 2 groups from baseline. However, the almond group consumed significantly more calories at 4 weeks compared with controls. The almond group experienced a 4.9% reduction in non-HDL-C compared with a 3.5% increase for the non-almond group (P = .02). Additionally, notable improvements were observed in LDL-C and triglycerides, but did not achieve statistical significance (P = .068 for both parameters). There was also a shift from LDL pattern A to pattern B particles (P = .003) in the almond group. No significant differences in total cholesterol (P = .1), HDL-C (P = .3), or lipoprotein (a) (P = .1) were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding 100 g of almonds daily to chronic statin therapy for 4 weeks significantly reduced non-HDL-C.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00603876.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Kansas City, KS, USA. Electronic address: jruisinger@kumc.edu.
authors: Janelle F
authors: JF
authors: Ruisinger
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General and Geriatric Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors: Cheryl A
authors: CA
authors: Gibson
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Backes
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Vadalabene Center, Edwardsville, IL, USA.
authors: Bryan K
authors: BK
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors: Debra K
authors: DK
authors: Sullivan
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Atherosclerosis and LDL-Apheresis Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors: Patrick M
authors: PM
authors: Moriarty
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
authors: Penny
authors: P
authors: Kris-Etherton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Almonds; Cholesterol; Lipoproteins; Nuts; Statins