Overall , high-walnut-enriched diets significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol for the duration of the short-term trials .
BACKGROUND Consumption of nuts has been associated with a decreased risk of  cardiovascular disease events  and death .
Walnuts in particular have a unique profile : they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids , which may improve blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors .
OBJECTIVES We aim ed to conduct a literature review and a meta- analysis to combine the results from several trials and to estimate the effect of walnuts on blood lipids .
Effects of walnut consumption as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet on serum cardiovascular risk factors.
Serum components , such as lipoproteins , coagulation factors ( factor VII , tissue plasminogen activator ( tPA ) , plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 ( PAI-1 ) , fibrinogen ) , and homocysteine have been associated with cardiovascular disease . Dietary intervention with a low-fat , low-cholesterol diet has favorably influenced cardiovascular disease and certain food , specifically the consumption of nuts , has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risks . The effects of walnuts , as part of a low-fat , low-cholesterol diet , on serum cardiovascular risk factors were determined . Sixty-seven ( 67 ) out patients with borderline high total cholesterol following a low-fat , low-cholesterol diet for six weeks before being r and omly assigned to continue the diet or have 64 grams/day of walnuts in conjunction with the diet . After six weeks , the patients ' diets were switched . Therefore , all patients consumed 64 grams/day of walnuts for six weeks during part of the trial as part of a low-fat , low cholesterol diet .  Serum lipids demonstrated a significant reduction in triacyglycerols and favorable trend with decreases in total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , and a slight increase in high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol . No statistical effects on homocysteine or the coagulation factors were observed . However , there was a slight favorable trend for tPA and PAI-1 . This study demonstrated that walnuts , when consumed as part of a low fat , low-cholesterol diet , have a beneficial effect on serum cardiovascular risk factors . However , these changes may not explain all of the beneficial effects that walnut consumption has on cardiovascular disease
Overall , high-walnut-enriched diets significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol for the duration of the short-term trials .
BACKGROUND Consumption of nuts has been associated with a decreased risk of  cardiovascular disease events  and death .
Walnuts in particular have a unique profile : they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids , which may improve blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors .
OBJECTIVES We aim ed to conduct a literature review and a meta- analysis to combine the results from several trials and to estimate the effect of walnuts on blood lipids .