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 .
Relationship between Adiponectin and Leptin, and Blood Lipids in Hyperlipidemia Patients Treated with Red Yeast Rice
Background : This study aim ed to investigate the possible relationships between adiponectin and leptin , blood lipids such as total cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and triglycerides ( TG ) as well as other clinical biomarkers in hyperlipidemia patients treated with red yeast rice .  Methods : 30 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were recruited , treated with red rice yeast capsules 600 mg twice a day for 8 weeks , and followed up for 4 weeks . The primary endpoint was the mean difference in LDL-C from baseline to week 8 , while the secondary endpoints were the mean percentage changes from baseline of total cholesterol , TG , HDL-C , adiponectin , and leptin . Results : At week 8 , the decrease in LDL-C and total cholesterol was -38.11 ± 30.90 mg/dl ( p < 0.0001 ) and -44.54 ± 27.46 mg/dl ( p < 0.0001 ) , respectively , and the increase in adiponectin was 35.83 ± 67.85 μg/ml ( p = 0.017 ) as compared to baseline . Adiponectin also correlated positively with HDL-C ( r2 = 0.39 ; p = 0.001 ) . Serum leptin correlated negatively with TG ( r2 = 0.19 ; p = 0.035 ) , and there was a trend of correlation between leptin and HDL-C , but this was not statistically significant ( r2 = 0.16 ; p = 0.052 ) . Conclusion : Red yeast rice can significantly increase adiponectin and can significantly lower LDL-C and total cholesterol levels . Adiponectin correlates positively with HDL-C while serum leptin correlates negatively with TG  . Red yeast rice has a potentially protective effect in obesity-related and cardiovascular diseases
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 .