Garlic powder, effect on plasma lipids, postprandial lipemia, low-density lipoprotein particle size, high-density lipoprotein subclass distribution and lipoprotein(a). Hypocholesterolemic Effect of an Enteric-Coated Garlic Supplement Can garlic reduce levels of serum lipids? A controlled clinical study. Coaching patients with coronary heart disease to achieve the target cholesterol: a method to bridge the gap between evidence-based medicine and the "real world"--randomized controlled trial. Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. The effect of a garlic preparation on plasma lipid levels in moderately hypercholesterolemic adults. A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial of Lactobacillus acidophilus Plus Bifidobacterium bifidum versus Placebo in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia. Kiwifruit consumption favourably affects plasma lipids in a randomised controlled trial in hypercholesterolaemic men. Comparison of the efficacy and tolerance of a garlic preparation vs. bezafibrate. Gender may affect the action of garlic oil on plasma cholesterol and glucose levels of normal subjects. A randomized factorial study of the effects of long-term garlic and micronutrient supplementation and of 2-wk antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection on serum cholesterol and lipoproteins. Impact of HIV infection and HAART on serum lipids in men. A High Legume Low Glycemic Index Diet Improves Serum Lipid Profiles in Men Loci influencing lipid levels and coronary heart disease risk in 16 European population cohorts Postpartum Weight Retention is Associated with Elevated Ratio of Oxidized LDL Lipids to HDL-Cholesterol The relative strength of C-reactive protein and lipid levels as determinants of ischemic stroke compared with coronary heart disease in women. Effects of different forms of hazelnuts on blood lipids and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease: A Series of Epidemiologic Studies in Japanese Populations On the effect of garlic on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in mild hypercholesterolaemia. Association of small low-density lipoprotein particles with the incidence of coronary artery disease in men and women. Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol decrease with age in older men and women. The Rancho Bernardo Study 1984-1994. Cholesterol measures to identify and treat individuals at risk for coronary heart disease. Comparison of the Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid With Docosahexaenoic Acid on the Level of Serum Lipoproteins in Helicobacter pylori: A Randomized Clinical Trial
OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that a garlic supplement alters plasma lipoproteins , postpr and ial lipemia , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) size and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) subclass distribution differently in 50 moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects classified as LDL subclass pattern A or B. BACKGROUND Garlic has been variably reported to reduce or not affect plasma cholesterol values . Low-density lipoprotein pattern B is a common inherited disorder of lipoprotein metabolism that has been shown to have a significantly greater response to several lipid lowering treatments including low fat diet when compared with LDL pattern A individuals . METHODS A double blind , r and omized , placebo controlled trial in an outpatient lipid research clinic was performed and included fifty moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects ( mean LDL cholesterol = 166 + /- 22 mg/dl ) classified as LDL subclass pattern A ( predominantly large LDL , n = 22 ) or B ( predominantly small LDL , n = 28 ) . Following a two-month stabilization period , subjects were r and omly assigned to a placebo or 300 mg three times a day of a st and ardized garlic tablet for three months . RESULTS For all subjects , LDL pattern A and B subjects combined , garlic treatment for three months result ed in no significant change in total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , HDL subclass distribution , postpr and ial triglycerides , apolipoprotein B , lipoprotein ( a ) ( Lp[a ] ) , LDL peak particle diameter or LDL subclass distribution . There was no significant difference in response for the same parameters among subjects classified as LDL pattern A or B with the exception of significantly greater ( p = 0.01 ) reduction in mean peak particle diameter in pattern A subjects treated with either garlic or placebo . There was no significant change in LDL subclass distribution . CONCLUSIONS This investigation confirms that garlic therapy has no effect on major plasma lipoproteins and further , that it has no impact on HDL subclasses , Lp(a ) , apolipoprotein B , postpr and ial triglycerides or LDL subclass distribution .  Garlic may have a greater effect on LDL particle diameter in LDL pattern A compared with pattern B subjects . This difference was not reflected in other plasma lipid measurements Objective : To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effect of an enteric-coated garlic supplement st and ardized for allicin-releasing potential in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemic patients . Methods : A double-blind r and omized , placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted in 46 hypercholesterolemic subjects who had failed or were not compliant with drug therapy . Each subject was given dietary counseling to lower fat intake and enteric-coated Australian garlic powder tablets with 9.6 mg allicin-releasing potential or matching placebo tablets . Results : After 12 weeks , the garlic supplement group ( n=22 ) had a significant reduction in total cholesterol ( TC , −0.36 mmol/L , −4.2 % ) and LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C , −0.44 mmol/L , −6.6 % ) while the placebo group ( n=24 ) had a non-significant increase in TC ( 0.13 mmol/L , 2.0 % ) and LDL-C ( 0.18 mmol/L , 3.7 % ) . HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased in the placebo group ( 0.09 mmol/L , 9.1 % ) , compared to the garlic group ( −0.02 mmol/L , −0.9 % ) , and no significant difference in triglycerides or in LDL/HDL ratio was observed between groups . Conclusions : The study demonstrates that enteric-coated garlic powder supplements with 9.6 mg allicin-releasing potential may have value in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemic patients when combined with a low fat diet . Taken with other evidence , the efficacy of garlic for lipoprotein metabolism might require allicin bioavailability to be enhanced through the use of , for example , an enteric-coated dose form . If this is the case , the possibility remains that greater hypocholesterolemic efficacy may be evident at a higher allicin dose . Also noteworthy in this study was a small reduction in energy intake with garlic compared with placebo , attributable to reduction in fat , carbohydrate and alcohol intakes . This may also have contributed to the effects on blood lipids . This study suggests that garlic supplementation has a cholesterol-lowering effect , which may be mediated by direct action of a biologically active compound or compounds and in part through the effect on food and nutrient intake PURPOSE To assess the effects of st and ardized garlic powder tablets on serum lipids and lipoproteins , glucose , and blood pressure . SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty-two healthy adults ( 19 men , 23 women ) , mean age of 52 + /- 12 years , with a serum total cholesterol ( TC ) level of greater than or equal to 220 mg/dL received , in a r and omized , double-blind fashion , either 300 mg three times a day of st and ardized garlic powder in tablet form or placebo . Diets and physical activity were unchanged . This study was conducted in an outpatient , clinical research unit . RESULTS The baseline serum TC level of 262 + /- 34 mg/dL was reduced to 247 + /- 40 mg/dL ( p < 0.01 ) after 12 weeks of st and ard garlic treatment . Corresponding values for placebo were 276 + /- 34 mg/dL before and 274 + /- 29 mg/dL after placebo treatment . Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) was reduced by 11 % by garlic treatment and 3 % by placebo ( p < 0.05 ) . There were no significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , triglycerides , serum glucose , blood pressure , and other monitored parameters . CONCLUSIONS Treatment with st and ardized garlic 900 mg/d produced a significantly greater reduction in serum TC and LDL-C than placebo . The garlic formulation was well tolerated without any odor problems Community studies have demonstrated suboptimal achievement of lipid targets in the management of patients with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . An effective strategy is required for the application of evidence -based prevention therapy for CHD . The objective of this study was to test coaching as a technique to assist patients in achieving the target cholesterol level of < 4.5 mmol/L. Patients with established CHD ( n = 245 ) underwent a stratified r and omization by cardiac procedure ( coronary artery bypass graft surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention ) to receive either the coaching intervention ( n = 121 ) or usual medical care ( n = 124 ) . The primary outcome measure was fasting serum total cholesterol ( TC ) , serum triglyceride ( TG ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) level , measured at 6 months post-r and omization . At 6 months , the serum TC and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in the coaching intervention group ( n = 107 ) than the usual care group ( n = 112 ) : mean TC ( 95%CI ) 5.00 ( 4.82 - 5.17 ) mmol/L versus 5.54 ( 5.36 - 5.72 ) mmol/L ( P < .0001 ) ; mean LDL-C ( 95%CI ) 3.11 ( 2.94 - 3.29 ) mmol/L versus 3.57 ( 3.39 - 3.75 ) mmol/L ( P < .0004 ) , respectively . Coaching had no impact on TG or on HDL-C levels . Multivariate analysis showed that being coached ( P < .001 ) had an effect of equal magnitude to being prescribed lipid-lowering drug therapy ( P < .001 ) . The effectiveness of the coaching intervention is best explained by both adherence to drug therapy and to dietary advice given . Coaching may be an appropriate method to reduce the treatment gap in applying evidence -based medicine to the " real world . This study examined the effects of garlic and fish-oil supplementation ( alone and in combination ) on fasting serum lipids and lipoproteins in hypercholesterolemic subjects . After an initial run-in phase , 50 male subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia were r and omly assigned for 12 wk to one of four groups : 1 ) 900 mg garlic placebo/d + 12 g oil placebo/d ; 2 ) 900 mg garlic/d + 12 g oil placebo/d ; 3 ) 900 mg garlic placebo/d + 12 g fish oil/d , providing 3.6 g n-3 fatty acids/d ; and 4 ) 900 mg garlic/d + 12 g fish oil/d . In the placebo group , mean serum total cholesterol , low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and triacylglycerols were not significantly changed in relation to baseline . Mean group total cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower with garlic+fish oil ( -12.2 % ) and with garlic ( -11.5 % ) after 12 wk but not with fish oil alone .  Mean LDL-C concentrations were reduced with garlic+fish oil ( -9.5 % ) and with garlic ( -14.2 % ) but were raised with fish oil ( + 8.5 % ) . Mean triacylglycerol concentrations were reduced with garlic+fish oil ( -34.3 % ) and fish oil alone ( -37.3 % ) . The garlic groups ( with and without fish oil ) had significantly lower ratios of total cholesterol to high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) and LDL-C to HDL-C. In summary , garlic supplementation significantly decreased both total cholesterol and LDL-C whereas fish-oil supplementation significantly decreased triacylglycerol concentrations and increased LDL-C concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men . The combination of garlic and fish oil reversed the moderate fish-oil-induced rise in LDL-C. Coadministration of garlic with fish oil was well-tolerated and had a beneficial effect on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations by providing a combined lowering of total cholesterol , LDL-C , and triacylglycerol concentrations as well as the ratios of total cholesterol to HDL-C and LDL-C to Lipid management is well established as an effective preventive and management tool for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Health cl aims regarding the cholesterol lowering benefits of garlic are widespread . However , the clinical trial data are inconsistent . The effect of two doses of a commercial garlic preparation on plasma lipids were evaluated , compared to a placebo , in moderately hypercholesterolemic adults ( baseline low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)=157 . 4+/-18.7 , mean+/-S.D. ) . Fifty-one adults , aged 51.8+/-8.3 years participated in a double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel treatment trial conducted in an outpatient research clinic . They were r and omized to a placebo or a garlic botanical blend providing 500 or 1000 mg dehydrated garlic powder/day ( three groups , 16 - 18 subjects per group ) . Plasma lipids were assessed every 2 weeks for 12 weeks . The study was design ed with sufficient power to detect a 10 % relative decline in LDL-C. The absolute mean changes in LDL-C over 12 weeks were 0.0+/-4.3 , + 1.4+/-4.8 , and -10.1+/-6.8 mg/dl for the placebo , half-dose and full-dose , respectively . In the full-dose group , the LDL-C decrease of 6.1 % was not significantly different from the other groups ( P=0.5 ) . No significant differences were observed for total- or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , or triacylglycerol levels . In conclusion , the garlic powder preparation used in this study among moderately hypercholesterolemic adults did not significantly effect plasma lipids levels . There was no indication of a grade d affect by garlic dose over the range of 0 , 500 and 1000 mg/day . A small ( < 10 % ) effect on LDL-C levels or a threshold effect requiring larger doses are not eliminated by this study BACKGROUND Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease . Not all patients respond well to traditional cholesterol lowering medications . Probiotics have been evaluated for their cholesterol-lowering effects in humans with variable results . This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of two probiotics in lowering the serum cholesterol of hypercholesterolemic patients . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A r and omized double-blind controlled trial was conducted comparing placebo to Lactobacillus acidophilus plus Bifidobacterium bifidum in patients diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia .  Placebo or probiotic capsules were taken three times daily for six weeks . Pre- and post-treatment total cholesterol ( TC ) , HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) and triglyceride ( TG ) levels and demographic parameters of the two groups were compared . From a total of 70 participants , 64 completed the assigned treatment ( 31 in probiotics group and 33 in the control group).The two treatment groups were matched for age , sex , weight , height , BMI , waist and hip circumferences , and blood pressure . RESULTS Baseline evaluation revealed no difference between the probiotics group and control group levels of TC , HDL-C , LDL-C and TG . TC levels in the probiotics group decreased during treatment ( 237.2 vs. 212.7 mg/dL , p<0.05 ) . TC and LDL-C levels in the control group increased significantly from their baseline levels during treatment . TC ( 212.7 vs 252.8 mg/dL , p<0.001 ) , HDL-C ( 52.0 vs 59.1 mg/dL , p=0.04 ) and LDL-C ( 153.9 vs 182.1 mg/dL , p<0.01 ) levels in the probiotics group were significantly lower at the end of treatment than the corresponding levels in the control group . CONCLUSION A combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum decreased serum total cholesterol , LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic patients over a six week period . There was no effect on serum triglyceride or fasting blood glucose levels The unique composition of green kiwifruit has the potential to benefit CVD risk . The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of consuming two green kiwifruits daily in conjunction with a healthy diet on plasma lipids and other metabolic markers and to examine response according to APOE genotype in hypercholesterolaemic men . After undergoing a 4-week healthy diet , eighty-five hypercholesterolaemic men ( LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) > 3.0 mmol/l and TAG < 3 mmol/l ) completed an 8-week r and omised controlled cross-over study of two 4-week intervention sequences of two green kiwifruits per d plus healthy diet ( intervention ) or healthy diet alone ( control ) .  Anthropometric measures , blood pressure ( BP ) and fasting blood sample s ( plasma lipids , serum apoA1 and apoB , insulin , glucose , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) ) were taken at baseline , and at 4 and 8 weeks . After the kiwifruit intervention , plasma HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) concentrations were significantly higher ( mean difference 0.04 ; 95 % CI 0.01 , 0.07 mmol/l ; P = 0.004 ) and the total cholesterol (TC):HDL-C ratio was significantly lower ( mean difference 20.5 ; 95 % CI 20.24 , 20.05 mmol/l ; P = 0.002 ) compared with the control . In carriers of the APOE4 allele , TAG decreased significantly ( mean difference -0.18 ; 95 % CI -0.34 , -0.02 mol/l ; P = 0.03 ) with kiwifruit compared with control . There were no significant differences between the two interventions for plasma TC , LDL-C , insulin , glucose , hs-CRP and BP . The small but significant increase in HDL-C and decrease in TC : HDL-C ratio and TAG ( in APOE4 carriers ) suggest that the regular inclusion of green kiwifruit as part of a healthy diet may be beneficial in improving the lipid profiles of men with high cholesterol The efficacy and tolerance of a garlic preparation ( Sapec , Kwai ) was investigated in a r and omized double-blind study vs. bezafibrate . This multi-centre study was conducted in 5 general medical practice s and involved 98 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinaemia . The daily doses of the active substances were 900 mg of garlic powder ( st and ardized as to 1.3 % alliin ) and 600 mg of bezafibrate , respectively . The pre-phase with placebo lasted 6 weeks , the treatment period covered 12 weeks . All patients were advised to observe a low-fat " step-1 diet " for the duration of the study . The 98 case report forms allowed the statistical evaluation of total cholesterol , HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels for 94 patients , and of LDL cholesterol values for 92 patients . In the course of the treatment both study medications caused a statistically highly significant reduction in total cholesterol , in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides , and an increase in HDL cholesterol . However , there was no significant difference in the efficacies of both medication groups . Side effects were mentioned by 5 patients each in both treatment groups , none of which led to the withdrawal of the patients . Concerning the garlic preparation , there was no correlation between the perception of garlic odour and the influence on the cholesterol level Early trials of garlic preparations on blood lipids mainly supported a lipid-lowering effect , whereas later well- design ed garlic tablet trials were mainly entirely null . However , enteric simulation tests suggest that this discordance may result from ineffective delivery of bioactive agents from the br and s of garlic powder ( GP ) and cyclodextrin-bound garlic oil ( GO ) tablets tested in some recent negative trials . In contrast , enteric simulation tests show that the preformed bioactive agents present in " traditional " gelatin capsules of GO are efficiently released , although such capsules have rarely been investigated in lipid-lowering trials . It was hypothesized that gelatin capsules of GO given to normal subjects would improve specified coronary heart disease risk factors . Effects of a GP preparation were also investigated . Subjects ( n = 51 ; men and women , mean age 27 y ) were r and omly assigned to receive either 8.2 mg/d of GO ( allyl sulfides ) or placebo for 11 wk . Another 27 subjects received garlic powder ( GP ) of similar biopotential ( 7.8 mg allicin/d ) . Outcome measures were 95 % confidence intervals ( CI ) between GO and placebo groups for differences between baseline and subsequent sample times . Men and women combined showed no significant differences save for an improved total antioxidant capacity at 6 wk ( P = 0.01 ) . Hence , no benefit from GO after 11 wk is one plausible conclusion . However , there were significant differences in effect of GO between men and women for HDL cholesterol ( HDL-C ) ( P = 0.004 ) and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ( P = 0.003 ) . Women showed favorable effects in terms of CHD risk factors ( i.e. , increases in HDL-C and reductions in TC/HDL-C ) , whereas men had small adverse effects . There was a significant difference in the GO effect for glucose ( P = 0.006 ) , with a reduction seen for men and an increase for women . The gender effects were unexpected and such analyses were not planned in advance . Confirmation of these findings with larger numbers of subjects would have importance for the use of garlic against CHD and for the design of future garlic studies BACKGROUND Little is known about the long-term effects of garlic or micronutrient supplementation on total , HDL , and LDL cholesterol in disease-free persons . OBJECTIVE We aim ed to assess the effects of long-term supplementation with garlic and micronutrients and of short-term amoxicillin and omeprazole treatment on serum total , HDL , and LDL cholesterol in a rural Chinese population . DESIGN We conducted a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 2 x 2 x 2 and 2 x 2 factorial study of precancerous gastric lesions in 3411 subjects in Linqu County , Sh and ong Province , China . Thirty-four subjects were r and omly selected from each of 12 treatment strata . Sera were analyzed at 3.3 and 7.3 y to measure effects on total , HDL , and LDL cholesterol after 2-wk twice-daily treatment with 1 g amoxicillin and 20 mg omeprazole and supplementation throughout the study with 1 ) 2 capsules twice daily , each containing 200 mg aged garlic extract and 1 mg steam-distilled garlic oil , or 2 ) twice-daily micronutrient capsules containing 250 mg vitamin C , 100 IU vitamin E , and 37.5 mg selenium . RESULTS Regressions adjusted for covariates indicated increases of 0.22 mmol total cholesterol/L ( P = 0.01 ) and 0.19 mmol LDL/L ( P = 0.02 ) after 7.3 y of micronutrient supplementation , but no effect of garlic supplementation or short-term amoxicillin and omeprazole treatment . CONCLUSIONS In this rural Chinese population with low meat intake and moderate cholesterol concentrations , long-term garlic supplementation had no effect on lipid profiles , whereas micronutrient supplementation was associated with small but significant increases in total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations at 7.3 CONTEXT Alterations in serum lipid values have been widely reported among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) type 1 treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART )  , but no data have yet been reported on changes from preseroconversion lipid values . OBJECTIVE To describe changes in serum cholesterol levels associated with HIV infection and antiretroviral medication exposure , and 1-time assessment of triglyceride levels post-HAART initiation . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PARTICIPANTS The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study , a prospect i ve study in which homosexual and bisexual men were enrolled and from which 50 of 517 HIV seroconverters were drawn for the analysis herein , who later initiated HAART , involving measurements of stored serum sample s obtained between 1984 and 2002 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Changes in levels of total cholesterol ( TC ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) at 6 time points during an average of 12 years ; 1-time assessment of  triglyceride levels  from the third post-HAART clinic visit . RESULTS Among the 50 men , notable declines in mean serum TC ( -30 mg/dL [ -0.78 mmol/L ] ) , HDL-C ( -12 mg/dL [ -0.31 mmol/L ] ) , and LDL-C values ( -22 mg/dL [ -0.57 mmol/L ] ) were observed after HIV infection . Following HAART initiation , there were large increases in mean TC and LDL-C values ( 50 and 21 mg/dL [ 1.30 and 0.54 mmol/L ] , respectively ) ; however , the mean changes from the preseroconversion values were 20 mg/dL ( 0.52 mmol/L ) ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , -1 to 41 ) and -1 mg/dL ( -0.03 mmol/L ) ( 95 % CI , -25 to 22 ) , respectively . Mean HDL-C remained below baseline levels throughout follow-up . The median value ( interquartile range ) of triglycerides was 225 mg/dL ( 2.54 mmol/L ) ( 147 - 331 mg/dL ) . CONCLUSIONS Before treatment , HIV infection results in substantial decreases in serum TC , HDL-C , and LDL-C levels . Subsequent HAART initiation is associated with increases in TC and LDL-C but little change in HDL-C. Increases in TC and LDL-C observed after about 3 years of HAART possibly represent a return to preinfection serum lipid levels after accounting for expected age-related changes Clinical studies have shown that fiber consumption facilitates weight loss and improves lipid profiles ; however , the beneficial effects of high fermentable fiber low glycemic index ( GI ) diets under conditions of weight maintenance are unclear . In the Legume Inflammation Feeding Experiment , a r and omized controlled cross-over feeding study , 64 middle-aged men who had undergone colonoscopies within the previous 2 years received both a healthy American ( HA ) diet ( no legume consumption , fiber consumption = 9 g/1,000 kcal , and GI = 69 ) and a legume enriched ( 1.5 servings/1,000 kcal ) , high fiber ( 21 g/1,000 kcal ) , low GI ( GI = 38 ) diet ( LG ) in r and om order . Diets were isocaloric and controlled for macronutrients including saturated fat ; they were consumed each for 4 weeks with a 2–4 week break separating dietary treatments . Compared to the HA diet , the LG diet led to greater declines in both fasting serum total cholesterol ( TC ) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 , respectively ) . Insulin-resistant ( IR ) subjects had greater reductions in high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ; P < 0.01 ) , and triglycerides (TAG)/HDL-C ( P = 0.02 ) after the LG diet , compared to the HA diet . Insulin-sensitive ( IS ) subjects had greater reductions in TC ( P < 0.001 ) , LDL-C ( P < 0.01 ) , TC/HDL-C ( P < 0.01 ) , and LDL-C/HDL-C ( P = 0.02 ) after the LG diet , compared to the HA diet . In conclusion , a high legume , high fiber , low GI diet  improves serum lipid profiles in men , compared to a healthy American diet . However , IR individuals do not achieve the full benefits of the same diet on cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) lipid risk factors Recent genome-wide association ( GWA ) studies of lipids have been conducted in sample s ascertained for other phenotypes , particularly diabetes . Here we report the first GWA analysis of loci affecting  total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol and triglycerides sample d r and omly from 16 population -based cohorts and genotyped using mainly the Illumina HumanHap300-Duo platform . Our study included a total of 17,797–22,562 persons , aged 18–104 years and from geographic regions spanning from the Nordic countries to Southern Europe . We established 22 loci associated with serum lipid levels at a genome-wide significance level ( P < 5 × 10−8 ) , including 16 loci that were identified by previous GWA studies . The six newly identified loci in our cohort sample s are ABCG5 ( TC , P = 1.5 × 10−11 ; LDL , P = 2.6 × 10−10 ) , TMEM57 ( TC , P = 5.4 × 10−10 ) , CTCF-PRMT8 region ( HDL , P = 8.3 × 10−16 ) , DNAH11 ( LDL , P = 6.1 × 10−9 ) , FADS3-FADS2 ( TC , P = 1.5 × 10−10 ; LDL , P = 4.4 × 10−13 ) and MADD-FOLH1 region ( HDL , P = 6 × 10−11 ) . For three loci , effect sizes differed significantly by sex . Genetic risk scores based on lipid loci explain up to 4.8 % of variation in lipids and were also associated with increased intima media thickness ( P = 0.001 ) and coronary heart disease incidence ( P = 0.04 ) . The genetic risk score improves the screening of high-risk groups of dyslipidemia over classical risk factors Oxidized LDL lipids ( ox-LDL ) are associated with lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular diseases , metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes . The present study investigated how postpartum weight retention effects on ox-LDL and serum lipids . The study is a nested comparative research of a cluster-r and omized controlled trial , NELLI ( lifestyle and counselling during pregnancy ) . During early pregnancy ( 8–12 weeks ) and 1 year postpartum , 141 women participated in measurements for determining of plasma lipids : total cholesterol ( T-C ) , LDL-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , triacylglycerols ( TAG ) and ox-LDL . Subjects were stratified into tertiles ( weight loss , unaltered weight and weight gain groups ) based on their weight change from baseline to follow-up . Ox-LDL was determined by baseline level of conjugated dienes in LDL lipids . Among the group of weight gainers , concentration of TAG reduced less ( −0.14 vs. −0.33 , p = 0.002 ) , HDL-C reduced more ( −0.31 vs. −0.16 , p = 0.003 ) and ox-LDL/HDL-C ratio increased ( 3.0 vs. −0.2 , p = 0.003 ) when compared to group of weight loss . Both T-C and LDL-C elevated more ( 0.14 vs. −0.21 , p = 0.008 ; 0.31 vs. 0.07 , p = 0.015 ) and TAG and ox-LDL reduced less ( −0.33 vs. 0.20 , p = 0.033 ; −3.33 vs. −0.68 , p = 0.026 ) in unaltered weight group compared to weight loss group . The women who gained weight developed higher TAG and ox-LDL/HDL-C ratio as compared to those who lost weight . Postpartum weight retention of 3.4 kg or more is associated with atherogenic lipid profile OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the relative strength of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) and lipid levels as markers for future ischemic stroke compared with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) in women . BACKGROUND Although hs-CRP and lipid levels are established risk determinants for vascular disease , the relative strength of these biomarkers for ischemic stroke compared with CHD is uncertain . METHODS Among 15,632 initially healthy women who were followed for a 10-year period , we compared  hs-CRP , total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( non-HDL-C ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , apolipoproteins A-I and B100 , and lipid ratios  as determinants of ischemic stroke compared with CHD . RESULTS After adjustment for age , smoking status , blood pressure , diabetes , and obesity , the hazard ratios ( HRs ) and 95 % confidence intervals ( CIs ) for the third versus the first tertile for future ischemic stroke compared with CHD were , respectively , 1.91 ( 95 % CI 1.13 to 3.21 ) and 2.26 ( 95 % CI 1.64 to 3.12 ) for TC , 1.29 ( 95 % CI 0.83 to 2.02 ) and 2.09 ( 95 % CI 1.53 to 2.85 ) for LDL-C , 0.57 ( 95 % CI 0.36 to 0.92 ) and 0.38 ( 95 % CI 0.27 to 0.52 ) for HDL-C , 1.72 ( 95 % CI 1.03 to 2.86 ) and 2.93 ( 95 % CI 2.04 to 4.21 ) for non-HDL-C , and 2.76 ( 95 % CI 1.51 to 5.05 ) and 1.66 ( 95 % CI 1.17 to 2.34 ) for hs-CRP . Of the lipid ratios , that of TC to HDL-C had the largest HR for both future ischemic stroke and CHD ( HR 1.95 [ 95 % CI 1.16 to 3.26 ] and 4.20 [ 95 % CI 2.79 to 6.32 ] , respectively ) . CONCLUSIONS In this large prospect i ve cohort of initially healthy women , lipid levels are significant risk determinants for ischemic stroke , but with a magnitude of effect smaller than that observed for CHD . High-sensitivity CRP associates more closely with ischemic stroke than with CHD . Concomitant evaluation of lipid levels and hs-CRP may improve risk assessment for stroke as well as CHD . ( The Women 's Health Study ; http://www . clinical trials.gov/ct/show/NCT00000479/ ; NCT00000479 ) Background / Objectives : Diets high in nuts reduce cholesterol , probably due to their favorable lipid profile and other bioactive substances . However , the physical form of the nut may be important as the cell wall of intact nuts may limit the hypocholesterolemic effect of nuts by reducing lipid bioavailability . Therefore , we investigated the effects on blood lipids of incorporating three different forms of hazelnuts ( ground , sliced and whole ) into the usual diet . Subjects/ Methods : In a r and omized crossover study with three phases , 48 mildly hypercholesterolemic participants were asked to consume 30 g of ground , sliced or whole hazelnuts for 4 weeks . Body weight , plasma total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , triacylglycerol ( TAG ) , apolipoprotein ( apo ) A1 , apo B100 and α-tocopherol were measured at baseline and at the end of each dietary phase . Results : There were no significant differences in any outcome variable between the different forms of nuts ( all P⩾0.159 ) . However , compared with baseline , mean values at the end of each hazelnut intervention were significantly higher for HDL-C ( P=0.023 ) and α-tocopherol ( P=0.005 ) , and significantly lower for TC ( P<0.001 ) , LDL-C ( P<0.001 ) , TC : HDL-C ratio ( P<0.001 ) , apo B100 ( P=0.002 ) and apo B100:apo A1 ratio ( P<0.001 ) , with no significant difference in body weight ( P=0.813 ) . Conclusions : The ingestion of three different forms of hazelnuts equally improved the lipoprotein profile and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals . Hazelnuts can therefore be incorporated into the usual diet as a means of reducing cardiovascular disease risk Although the causal relationships of high serum levels of  total cholesterol  ( TC ) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) are well established , there have been few community-based epidemiologic studies of these relations in Japan . Furthermore , even when analysis is restricted to ischemic stroke , the relationship between dyslipidemia and stroke is very weak . Accordingly , it is difficult to perform cohort studies of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease . A series of studies , such as the NIPPON DATA ( National Integrated Project for Prospect i ve Observation of Non-communicable Disease and Its Trends in the Aged ) cohort study of a representative sample of Japanese , have greatly increased existing evidence . NIPPON DATA 80 revealed a clear positive relationship between TC and CAD , and indicated that reverse causality between hypocholesterolemia and liver disease may increase all-cause mortality in hypocholesterolemic Japanese . NIPPON DATA 90 showed that serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) was inversely associated with all-cause mortality , even when HDL-C was very high . NIPPON DATA 80 revealed that low-normal levels of serum albumin and TC are associated with a decline in activity during old age , especially in women . The Suita study —a unique cohort study of urban residents — showed that LDL-C and non – HDL-C were equally accurate in predicting the incidence of myocardial infa rct ion . Further research of this quality is needed to ascertain the public health burden of dyslipidemia in Japan The ingestion of garlic has been reported to have many cardiovascular effects , including a reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration and the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation . A double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omised crossover study was conducted in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia who were subject to strict dietary supervision and assessment . After a baseline dietary period of 28 days , subjects took Kwai garlic powder tablets 300 mg three times daily or matching placebo for 12 weeks , followed by 28 days washout , followed by a 12 weeks crossover on the alternative preparation . In the analysis hypercholesterolaemia was defined as those subjects in the range 5.5 - 8.05 mmol/l . Three subjects were withdrawn , one allocated to garlic and complaining of garlic body odour , one using placebo having intercurrent health problems , and one with a baseline cholesterol below 5.5 mmol/l , yielding analysable results in 28 subjects . Comparing the period on garlic with that on placebo , there were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , plasma triglycerides , lipoprotein(a ) concentrations , or blood pressure . Mean LDL cholesterol concentration was 4.64 + /- 0.52 mmol/l on garlic and 4.60 + /- 0.59 mmol/l on placebo . There was no demonstrable effect of garlic on oxidisability of LDL , on the ratio of plasma lathosterol/cholesterol ( a measure of cholesterol synthesis ) , nor on LDL receptor expression in lymphocytes . This study found no demonstrable effect of garlic ingestion on lipids and lipoproteins OBJECTIVE To investigate the prospect i ve association of low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) particle diameter with the incidence of fatal and nonfatal coronary artery disease ( CAD ) . DESIGN A nested case-control study . SETTING Cases and controls were identified from a population -based sample of men and women combining all of the 5 cross-sectional surveys conducted from 1979 to 1990 of the Stanford Five-City Project ( FCP ) . PARTICIPANTS Incident CAD cases were identified through FCP surveillance between 1979 and 1992 . Controls were matched by sex , 5-year age groups , survey time point , ethnicity , and FCP treatment condition . The sample included 124 matched pairs : 90 pairs of men and 34 pairs of women . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LDL peak particle diameter ( LDL size ) was determined by gradient gel electrophoresis on plasma sample s collected during the cross-sectional surveys ( stored at 70 degrees C for 5 - 15 years ) . Established CAD risk-factor data were available from FCP baseline measurements . RESULTS LDL size was smaller among CAD cases than controls ( mean + /- SD ) ( 26.17 + /- 1.00 nm vs 26.68 + /- 0.90 nm ; P<.001 ) . The association was grade d across control quintiles of LDL size . The significant case-control difference in LDL size was independent of levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , non-HDL cholesterol ( non-HDL-C ) , triglyceride , smoking , systolic blood pressure , and body mass index , but was not significant after adjusting for the ratio of total cholesterol ( TC ) to HDL-C ( TC : HDL-C ) . Among all the physiological risk factors , LDL size was the best differentiator of CAD status in conditional logistic regression . However , when added to the physiological parameters above , the TC : HDL-C ratio was found to be a stronger independent predictor of CAD status . CONCLUSION LDL size was significantly smaller in CAD cases than in controls in a prospect i ve , population -based study . These findings support other evidence of a role for small , dense LDL particles in the etiology of atherosclerosis BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to study the effects of age , weight change , and covariates on lipid and lipoprotein levels cross-sectionally and prospect ively in an elderly population . METHODS AND RESULTS A community-based sample of 1041 men and 1303 women aged 50 to 93 years was studied cross-sectionally in 1984 to 1987 , with follow-up of 372 men and 545 women 8 years later . In the cross-sectional study , levels of total cholesterol ( TC ) and LDL cholesterol ( LDL-C ) decreased and levels of HDL cholesterol ( HDLC ) increased with age in men ( all P < .001 ) but not in women . In the prospect i ve study , TC , LDL-C , and HDL-C levels all decreased in both men and women , in all age groups ( 50 to 64 years , 65 to 74 years , and > or = 75 years ) and in all weight change groups ( > 2.5-kg loss , change within 2.5 kg , and > 2.5-kg gain ) and in all waist girth change groups , for an overall decrement of approximately 1 % per year . In multiple linear regression models , change in weight was the most important independent and consistent predictor of changes in TC , LDL-C , and HDL-C. Similar results were obtained in analyses excluding subjects taking lipid-lowering drugs or estrogen and in analyses adjusted for changes in cigarette smoking , alcohol intake , physical activity , medication use , and incident myocardial infa rct ion , cancer , or diabetes . CONCLUSIONS Cross-sectional decrements in TC and LDL-C with age in men are not explained by survivor bias because they are also observed prospect ively . Although weight change was the most important explanatory variable , TC , LDL-C , and HDL-C levels also decreased in those who lost or gained weight . Age was not an independent predictor of change . Other prospect i ve studies are recommended to better define the causes and consequences of cholesterol and lipoprotein changes in old age BACKGROUND Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-based guidelines are currently used to initiate and monitor cholesterol-lowering therapy . METHODS Using stratified analyses , data from the Framingham Heart Study and the Coronary Primary Prevention Trial were evaluated to determine whether ( 1 ) cholesterol levels  ( total cholesterol [ TC ] or LDL [ low-density lipoprotein ] ) better discriminated risk for coronary heart disease ( CHD ) than cholesterol ratios ( LDL/HDL [ high-density lipoprotein ] or TC/HDL ) ; and ( 2 ) whether changes in ratios better predicted risk reduction than changes in levels . RESULTS Individuals with similar LDL/HDL ratios had similar risks for CHD regardless of whether they had high LDL levels or low LDL levels ( 23 % vs 23 % for the CPPT , 13.8 % vs 14 % for FHS men , and 8.6 % vs 10.9 % for FHS women ) . Among men with similar initial LDL/HDL ratios  and similar changes in LDL/HDL ratios , risks for CHD did not differ ( 20.3 % compared with 21.0 % ; p = 0.96 ) between those with the largest and smallest reductions in LDL levels ( 21.3 % compared with 6.5 % ) . Among men with similar initial LDL levels  and similar LDL reductions  , a 20 % reduction in risk for CHD was seen ( 19.5 % compared with 24.5 % ; p = 0.005 ) between those with the largest and smallest reductions in LDL/HDL ratios ( 23 % compared with 4.6 % ) . TC/HDL had predictive ability similar to LDL/HDL . CONCLUSIONS Cholesterol levels do not provide incremental predictive value over cholesterol ratios in identifying people at risk for CHD . Changes in ratios are better predictors of successful CHD risk reduction than changes in levels . Future guidelines should consider incorporating ratios in initiating and monitoring successful lipid-lowering therapy Background : Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common chronic bacterial infection around the world and an important cause of gastrointestinal disorders , which might be involved in the pathogenesis of some extragastrointestinal disturbances as well as changes in serum lipid profile . Hypolipemic properties of omega-3 fatty acids have been studied in several studies . Objectives : The present study aim ed to compare the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) supplementation on the level of serum lipoproteins in H. pylori . Patients and Methods : In a r and omized , double-blinded , placebo-controlled clinical trial in Iran , 105 Helicobacter pylori were r and omly allocated to receive 2 g of daily EPA ( 35 patients ) , DHA ( 35 patients ) , or medium-chain triglyceride ( MCT ) oil as placebo ( 33 patients ) along with conventional tetra-drug H. pylori eradication regimen for 12 weeks . Results : From 105 included patients , 97 ( 31 in EPA , 33 in DHA , and 33 in control groups ) completed the study and were included in final analysis . The levels of total cholesterol ( TC ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) and the ratios of TG/HDL-C , TC/HDL-C , and LDL-C/HDL-C were not significantly different among the three groups , while the level of triglyceride ( TG ) was statistically different . DHA ( -16.6 ± 30.34 ) and control ( + 15.32 ± 56.47 ) groups were statistically different with regard to changes in TG levels ( P = 0.000 ) . Conclusions : There was no difference between the effects of 2 g of EPA or DHA supplementation for 12 weeks on the levels of total cholesterol , LDL-C , HDL-C , TC/HDL-C , TG/HDL-C , and LDL-C/HDL-C ; however , it had a desirable effect on the level of TG in a way that the effect of DHA was clearer
Garlic reduces TC to a modest extent , an effect driven mostly by the modest reductions in TAG , without appreciable LDL lowering or HDL elevation .
Higher baseline line TC levels and the use of dietary modification may alter the effect of garlic on these parameters .
In order to determine the impact of  garlic on total cholesterol ( TC ) , TAG levels , as well as LDL and HDL  , and establish if any variables have an impact on the magnitude of this effect , a meta- analysis was conducted .