Mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Typical omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the form of fish oils and alpha linolenic acid from flaxseed oil. Epidemiological studies suggested the benefits of n-3 PUFA on cardiovascular health. Intervention studies confirmed that the consumption of n-3 PUFA provided benefits for primary and secondary prevention of […]

Nuts; blood lipids and cardiovascular disease

The aim of this paper is to evaluate nut-related epidemiological and human feeding study findings and to discuss the important nutritional attributes of nuts and their link to cardiovascular health. Frequent nut consumption has been found to be protective against coronary heart disease in five large epidemiological studies across two continents. A qualitative summary of […]

Nut consumption and blood lipid levels: a pooled analysis of 25 intervention trials

Background: Epidemiological studies have consistently associated nut consumption with reduced risk for coronary heart disease. Subsequently; many dietary intervention trials investigated the effects of nut consumption on blood lipid levels. The objectives of this study were to estimate the effects of nut consumption on blood lipid levels and to examine whether different factors modify the […]

Pistachios increase serum antioxidants and lower serum oxidized-LDL in hypercholesterolemic adults

Pistachios are high in lutein; beta-carotene; and gamma-tocopherol relative to other nuts; however; studies of the effects of pistachios on oxidative status are lacking. We conducted a randomized; crossover controlled-feeding study to evaluate 2 doses of pistachios on serum antioxidants and biomarkers of oxidative status in 28 hypercholesterolemic adults (LDL-cholesterol >or=2.86 mmol/L). Participants consumed 3 […]

Anti-inflammatory effects of the Mediterranean diet: the experience of the PREDIMED study

Several epidemiological and clinical studies have evaluated the effects of a Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) on total cardiovascular mortality; and all concluded that adherence to the traditional Med-Diet is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. However; the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Since atherosclerosis is nowadays considered a low-grade inflammatory disease; recent studies have explored […]

Almond consumption improved glycemic control and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Almond consumption is associated with ameliorations in obesity; hyperlipidemia; hypertension; and hyperglycemia. The hypothesis of this 12-week randomized crossover clinical trial was that almond consumption would improve glycemic control and decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease in 20 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (9 male; 11 female; 58 years old; body mass […]

Hazelnut consumption decreases the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation; plasma oxidized LDL level and increases the ratio of large/small LDL in normolipidemic healthy subjects

OBJECTIVE: Nut consumption has beneficial effects on protection for development of atherosclerotic process. METHODS: Single intervention study design was used to determine the effects of hazelnut-enriched diet (1 g/kg/day) during 4 weeks period on atherogenic tendency of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by evaluating susceptibility of LDL to oxidation; alpha-tocopherol content of LDL; LDL subfractions; plasma oxidized […]

Effects on coronary heart disease of increasing polyunsaturated fat in place of saturated fat: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Reduced saturated fat (SFA) consumption is recommended to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD); but there is an absence of strong supporting evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of clinical CHD events and few guidelines focus on any specific replacement nutrient. Additionally; some public health groups recommend lowering or limiting polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) consumption; a […]

Dietary intake and food sources of fatty acids in Australian adolescents

BACKGROUND: Dietary fat consumed during childhood and adolescence may be related to the development of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases in adulthood; however; there is a lack of information on specific fatty acid intakes and food sources in these populations. Our study aimed to assess fatty acid intakes in Australian adolescents; compare intakes with national […]