The results of this systematic review indicate that the dietary supplementation with red yeast rice , bergamot , artichoke , and virgin olive oil has promising effects on the increase of HDL-C serum levels .
The artichoke leaf extract and virgin olive oil appear to be particularly interesting , while bergamot extract needs further research and the effect of red yeast rice seems to be limited to patients with previous myocardial infa rct ion .
Various MediterrAsian diet products or natural extracts may represent a potential intervention treatment to raise HDL-C in dyslipidemic subjects
Background .
High HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) values are negatively correlated with cardiovascular diseases .
This review analyses the effect of the supplementation with various Mediterranean diet products ( artichoke , bergamot , and olive oil ) and Asian diet products ( red yeast rice ) on the  HDL-C value in dyslipidemic subjects .
Olive Oil Polyphenols Enhance High-Density Lipoprotein Function in Humans: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Objective — Olive oil polyphenols have shown beneficial properties against cardiovascular risk factors . Their consumption has been associated with higher cholesterol content in high-density lipoproteins ( HDL ) . However , data on polyphenol effects on HDL quality are scarce . We , therefore , assessed whether polyphenol-rich olive oil consumption could enhance the HDL main function , its cholesterol efflux capacity , and some of its quality -related properties , such HDL polyphenol content , size , and composition . Approach and Results — A r and omized , crossover , controlled trial with 47 healthy European male volunteers was performed . Participants ingested 25 mL/d of polyphenol-poor ( 2.7 mg/kg ) or polyphenol-rich ( 366 mg/kg ) raw olive oil in 3-week intervention periods , preceded by 2-week washout periods . HDL cholesterol efflux capacity significantly improved after polyphenol-rich intervention versus the polyphenol-poor one ( + 3.05 % and −2.34 % , respectively ; P=0.042 ) . Incorporation of olive oil polyphenol biological metabolites to HDL , as well as large HDL ( HDL2 ) levels , was higher after the polyphenol-rich olive oil intervention , compared with the polyphenol-poor one . Small HDL ( HDL3 ) levels decreased , the HDL core became triglyceride-poor , and HDL fluidity increased after the polyphenol-rich intervention . Conclusions — Olive oil polyphenols promote the main HDL antiatherogenic function , its cholesterol efflux capacity . These polyphenols increased HDL size , promoted a greater HDL stability reflected as a triglyceride-poor core , and enhanced the HDL oxidative status , through an increase in the olive oil polyphenol metabolites content in the lipoprotein . Our results provide for the first time a first-level evidence of an enhancement in HDL function by polyphenol-rich olive oil
The results of this systematic review indicate that the dietary supplementation with red yeast rice , bergamot , artichoke , and virgin olive oil has promising effects on the increase of HDL-C serum levels .
The artichoke leaf extract and virgin olive oil appear to be particularly interesting , while bergamot extract needs further research and the effect of red yeast rice seems to be limited to patients with previous myocardial infa rct ion .
Various MediterrAsian diet products or natural extracts may represent a potential intervention treatment to raise HDL-C in dyslipidemic subjects
Background .
High HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) values are negatively correlated with cardiovascular diseases .
This review analyses the effect of the supplementation with various Mediterranean diet products ( artichoke , bergamot , and olive oil ) and Asian diet products ( red yeast rice ) on the  HDL-C value in dyslipidemic subjects .