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 .
Lipid Responses to a Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplement in Men and Women with Below Average Levels of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
Objective : To assess fasting lipid responses to a docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) supplement in men and women with below-average levels of high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol . Methods : This r and omized , double-blind , controlled clinical trial included 57 subjects , 21–80 years of age , with fasting HDL cholesterol concentrations ≤44 mg/dL ( men ) and ≤54 mg/dL ( women ) , but ≥35 mg/dL. Subjects were r and omly assigned to receive either 1.52 g/day DHA from capsules containing DHA-rich algal triglycerides or olive oil ( control ) for six weeks . Results : There were no significant differences between groups in baseline lipid values . The DHA supplemented group showed significant changes [ −43 ( DHA ) vs. −14 ( controls ) mg/dL , p = 0.015 ] and percent changes [ −21 % ( DHA ) vs. −7 % ( controls ) , p = 0.009 ] in triglycerides , total ( 12 vs. 3 mg/dL ; p = 0.021 and 6 % vs. 2 % ; p = 0.018 ) and low-density lipoprotein ( 17 vs. 3 mg/dL ; p = 0.001 and 12 % vs. 3 % ; p = 0.001 ) cholesterol concentrations , and in the triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio ( −1.33 vs. −0.50 , p = 0.010 ) , compared with controls . In addition , there was a significant reduction in the percentage of LDL cholesterol carried by small , dense particles in the DHA supplemented group ( changes = −10 % vs. −3 % , p = 0.025 ) . Conclusions : Supplementation with 1.52 g/d of  DHA in men and women with below-average HDL cholesterol concentrations  raised the LDL cholesterol level , but had favorable effects on triglycerides , the triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio and the fraction of LDL cholesterol carried by small , dense particles . Further research is warranted to evaluate the net impact of these alterations on cardiovascular risk
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 .