Effects of hazelnut-enriched diet on plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolemic adult men

Abstract

Objective: Frequent consumption of nuts is associated with favorable plasma lipid profiles and reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hazelnut-enriched diet on plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolemic adult men compared with baseline and control diet, and also to measure the anthropometric parameters, habitual physical activities, nutrient intake and endothelial function. Subjects and design: Fifteen hypercholesterolemic men aged 4878 years were recruited voluntarily. A well-controlled, 2-period (P 1 and P 2 ) study design with a total of 8-week was implemented. In the P 1 , subjects consumed a control diet (low-fat, low-cholesterol and high-carbohydrate). During the P 2 , the control diet was supplemented with MUFA-rich hazelnut (40 g/day), which provided 11.6% of total energy content. Anthropometric parameters and habitual physical activities were recorded. Plasma total and HDL cholesterol, TAG, ApoA-1, Apo B, total homocysteine and glucose concentrations were measured. All parameters and measurements were obtained at baseline and end of each 4-week diet period. Results: Body weights of subjects remained stable throughout the study. Compared with baseline, the hazelnut-enriched diet decreased (Po0.05) the concentrations of VLDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein B by 29.5, 31.8, and 9.2%, respectively, while increasing HDL cholesterol concentrations by 12.6%. Total/HDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios favorably decreased (Po0.05). Although insignificant there was a decreasing trend for the rest of parameters, particularly in total (5.2%) and LDL cholesterol (3.3%) in subjects consuming a hazelnut-enriched diet compared to that of the baseline. No changes were found in fasting levels of glucose, Apo A-1 and homocysteine between the control and hazelnut-enriched diets. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a high-fat and high-MUFA-rich hazelnut diet was superior to a low-fat control diet because of favorable changes in plasma lipid profiles of hypercholesterolemic adult men and, thereby positively affecting the CHD risk profile. Sponsorship:

Effects of different forms of hazelnuts on blood lipids and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals

“…Previous research on hazelnut supplementation has been limited to three studies. The results from this study strengthen the findings of previous smaller intervention trials that have shown similar improvements in blood lipid concentrations with the consumption of hazelnuts (Alphan et al, 1997;Durak et al, 1999;Mercanligil et al, 2007).…”

“…To date, only three short-term intervention trials have assessed the effects of hazelnut supplementation on blood lipids (Alphan et al, 1997;Durak et al, 1999;Mercanligil et al, 2007). However, the sample size used in all three studies was relatively small and one of the studies was a poorly designed, non-randomized trial using a convenience sample (Durak et al, 1999).…”

Vegetable milks and their fermented derivative products

“…P. Borges, Carvalho, Correia, and Silva, 2007;De Vasconcelos, Bennett, Rosa, and Ferreira-Cardoso, 2010 (nut) § Low-fat content § Protective effect against CVD § Good lipid profile, mainly PUFA and followed by MUFA. § Antioxidant properties § Important amounts folates, thiamin and riboflavin § Electrolite balance contribution § Important source of phenolic compounds § Glucorregulation properties § Lactose-free; low available carbohydrate § Prebiotic effect § Cholesterol-free § Possible contribution in protection against some cancers, such as colon cancer § High digestibility § Suitable for celiacs and lactose intolerants § Low GI § Low Na content Alasalvar, Shahidi, Liyanapathirana, and Ohshima, 2003;Durak et al, 1999;Koksal, Artik, Simsek, and Gunes, 2006;Li et al, 2009;Mercanligil et al, 2007;Ozdemir et al, 2001, Tey et al, 2011 § Good lipid profile, mainly MUFA. § Protective effect against CVD § Important amounts of niacin, Vit.B1, Vit.B2, Vit.B6 and ascorbic acid.…”

Uso de Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa na redução do colesterol

“…No presente estudo piloto observou-se uma diminuição do Colesterol Total e LDL-C ao se comparar seus valores médios basais e após oito semanas de intervenção. O período desse estudo baseou-se em outros ensaios clínicos mostrando que esse tempo é sufi ciente para confi rmar o efeito hipolipemiante (Ballesteros et al, 2001;Rodrigues et al, 2003;Praça et al, 2004;Behall et al, 2004;Mercanligil et al, 2007).…”