BackgroundThe present study aimed to assess the effect of a healthy diet, enriched or not with pecan nuts or extra‐virgin olive oil, on the lipid profile of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsThis was a randomised clinical trial conducted for 12 weeks with patients aged between 40 and 80 years with stable CAD for more than 60 days. Individuals were randomised into groups [control group (CG) with 67 patients, pecan nut group (PNG) with 68 patients and olive oil group (OOG) with 69 patients]. The CG was prescribed a healthy diet according to the nutritional guidelines; the PNG was prescribed the same healthy diet plus 30 g day−1 of pecan nuts; and the OOG was prescribed a healthy diet plus 30 mL day−1 of extra‐virgin olive oil.ResultsIn total, 204 subjects were submitted to an intention‐to‐treat analysis. After adjustment for baseline values and type of statin used, there was no difference regarding low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol (primary outcome), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol/HDL‐cholesterol ratio and HDL‐cholesterol/triglycerides ratio according to groups. However, the PNG exhibited a significant reduction in non‐HDL‐cholesterol levels [PNG: 114.9 (31) mg dL−1; CG: 127 (33.6) mg dL−1; OOG: 126.6 (37.4) mg dL−1; P = 0.033] and in the total cholesterol/HDL‐cholesterol ratio [PNG: 3.7 (0.7); CG: 4.0 (0.8); OOG: 4.0 (0.8); P = 0.044] compared to the CG and OOG.ConclusionsSupplementing a healthy diet with 30 g day−1 of pecan nuts for 12 weeks did not improve LDL‐cholesterol levels but may improve other lipid profile markers in patients with stable CAD.

Avocado is a fruit which had a caloric density of 1.7 kcal per gram and a half unit (~70 g) is composed by 114 kcal, 4.6 g of fibers, 345 mg of potassium, 19.5 mg of magnesium, 1.3 mg of vitamin E and 57 mg of phytosterols. Approximately 75% of fiber's avocado contents are considered insoluble and 25% are soluble. The avocado contains lipids that consist of 71% from monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 13% from polyunsaturated (PUFA) and 16% from saturated fatty acids (SFA). Recent researches have shown that avocado may improve hypercholesterolemia and may be useful in the treatment of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This way, avocado plays an important role in the cardiovascular health. This review summarizes the potential benefits of avocado consumption in the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic diseases.

BackgroundCardiovascular disease has become a major health problem, and it has been associated with both environmental and genetic factors. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean Diet (MeDiet), or its components such as nuts and olive oil, may be strongly associated with the improvement of cardiovascular risk factors in specific populations. The purpose of the GENUTRI study is to investigate the interaction of genetics with cardiovascular risk factors in a non-Mediterranean population with coronary artery disease (CAD) according to three different diets: rich in pecan nuts, in extra-virgin olive oil or a control diet.Methods/designThe GENUTRI study is a single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, 12-week pragmatic clinical trial conducted in patients aged 40 to 80 years and diagnosed with CAD. A standardized questionnaire will be applied to data collection and a blood sample will be obtained for lipid, glycemic and inflammatory profile evaluation. Polymorphisms in the CD36 and STAT3 genes will be detected using the TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay. Patients will be allocated in three groups: group 1: 30 g/day of pecan nuts; group 2: 30 ml/day of olive oil; and group 3: control diet. The primary outcome will consist of changes in LDL-cholesterol (in mg/dl) after 12 weeks of intervention.DiscussionStudies have shown the beneficial effects of diets rich in nuts and olive oil mainly in the Mediterranean population. GENUTRI is a clinical trial focusing on the effects of nuts or olive oil supplementation in Brazilian individuals. Additionally, we will try to demonstrate that genetic polymorphisms linked to cardiovascular disease may modulate the effects of different diets on biochemical and inflammatory markers among these subjects.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02202265 (registered on 18 July 2014: first version).