The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .
White Rice Consumption and CVD Risk Factors among Iranian Population
Association between white rice intake and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases remained uncertain . Most of the previous published studies have been done in western countries with different lifestyles , and scant data are available from the Middle East region , including Iran . This cross-sectional study was conducted in the structure of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program ( IHHP ) to assess the association between white rice consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases . In the present study , 3,006 men were included from three counties of Isfahan , Najafabad , and Arak by multistage cluster r and om-sampling method .  Dietary intake was assessed with a 49-item food frequency question naire ( FFQ ) . Laboratory assessment was done in a st and ardized central laboratory . Outcome variables were fasting blood glucose , serum lipid levels , and anthropometric variables . Socioeconomic and demographic data , physical activity , and body mass index ( BMI ) were considered covariates and were adjusted in analysis . In this study , Student 's t-test , chi-square test , and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses . Means of BMI among those subjects who consumed white rice less than 7 times per week and people who consumed 7 - 14 times per week were almost similar—24.8±4.3 vs 24.5±4.7 kg/m2 . There was no significant association between white rice  consumption and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases , such as fasting blood sugar and serum lipid profiles . Although whole grain consumption has undeniable effect on preventing cardiovascular disease risk , white rice consumption was not associated with cardiovascular risks among Iranian men in the present study . Further prospect i ve studies with a semi-quantitative FFQ or dietary record question naire , representing type and portion-size of rice intake as well as cooking methods and other foods consumed with rice that affect glycaemic index ( GI ) of rice , are required to support our finding and to illustrate the probable mechanism
The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .