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 .
Beneficial effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation on increasing HDL-cholesterol in subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of artichoke leaf extract ( ALE ) supplementation ( 250 mg , 2 b.i.d . ) on the lipid pattern . A r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 92 overweight subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia for 8 weeks . Forty-six subjects were r and omized to supplementation ( age : 54.2 ± 6.6 years , body mass index ( BMI ): 25.8 ± 3.9 kg/m2 , male/female : 20/26 ) and 46 subjects to placebo ( age : 53.8 ± 9.0 years , BMI : 24.8 ± 1.6 kg/m2 , male/female : 21/25 ) . Verum supplementation was associated with a significant increase in mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ( p < 0.001 ) and in mean change in HDL-cholesterol ( HDL-C ) ( p = 0.004 ) . A significantly decreased difference was also found for the mean change in total cholesterol ( p = 0.033 ) , low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol ( p < 0.001 ) , total cholesterol/HDL ratio ( p < 0.001 ) and LDL/HDL ratio ( p < 0.001 ) , when verum and placebo treatment were compared . These results indicate that ALE could play a relevant role in the management of mild hypercholesterolaemia , favouring in particular the increase in HDL-C , besides decreasing total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol
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 .