Significant heterogeneity was not observed by nut type or other factors .
Tree nut intake  lowers total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , ApoB , and triglycerides .
The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type .
BACKGROUND The effects of nuts on major cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , including dose-responses and potential heterogeneity by nut type or phytosterol content , are not well established .
OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of tree nuts ( walnuts , pistachios , macadamia nuts , pecans , cashews , almonds , hazelnuts , and Brazil nuts ) on blood lipids [ total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides ] , lipoproteins [ apolipoprotein A1 , apolipoprotein B ( ApoB ) , and apolipoprotein B100 ] , blood pressure , and inflammation ( C-reactive protein ) in adults aged ≥18 y without prevalent CVD .
Effect of diets enriched in almonds on insulin action and serum lipids in adults with normal glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND Nuts appear to have cardiovascular benefits but their effect in diabetic patients is unclear . OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess effects of almond-enriched diets on insulin sensitivity and lipids in patients with normoglycemia or type 2 diabetes . DESIGN Study 1 assessed the effect of almonds on insulin sensitivity in 20 free-living healthy volunteers who received 100 g almonds/d for 4 wk . Study 2 was a r and omized crossover study that compared 4 diets in 30 volunteers with type 2 diabetes : 1 ) high-fat , high-almond ( HFA ; 37 % total fat , 10 % from almonds ) ; 2 ) low-fat , high-almond ( LFA ; 25 % total fat , 10 % from almonds ) ; 3 ) high-fat control ( HFC ; 37 % total fat , 10 % from olive or canola oil ) ; and 4 ) low-fat control ( LFC ; 25 % total fat , 10 % from olive or canola oil ) . After each 4-wk diet , serum lipids and oral glucose tolerance were measured . RESULTS In study 1 , almond consumption did not change insulin sensitivity significantly , although body weight increased and total and LDL cholesterol decreased by 21 % and 29 % , respectively ( P < 0.05 ) . In study 2 , total cholesterol was lowest with the HFA diet ( 4.46 + /- 0.14 , 4.52 + /- 0.14 , 4.63 + /- 0.14 , and 4.63 + /- 0.14 mmol/L with the HFA , HFC , LFA , and LFC diets , respectively ; P = 0.0004 for fat level ) . HDL cholesterol was significantly lower with the almond diets ( P = 0.002 ) ; however , no significant effect of fat source on LDL : HDL was observed . Glycemia was unaffected . CONCLUSIONS Almond-enriched diets do not alter insulin sensitivity in healthy adults or glycemia in patients with diabetes . Almonds had beneficial effects on serum lipids in healthy adults and produced changes similar to high monounsaturated fat oils in diabetic patients
Significant heterogeneity was not observed by nut type or other factors .
Tree nut intake  lowers total cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , ApoB , and triglycerides .
The major determinant of cholesterol lowering appears to be nut dose rather than nut type .
BACKGROUND The effects of nuts on major cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors , including dose-responses and potential heterogeneity by nut type or phytosterol content , are not well established .
OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of tree nuts ( walnuts , pistachios , macadamia nuts , pecans , cashews , almonds , hazelnuts , and Brazil nuts ) on blood lipids [ total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides ] , lipoproteins [ apolipoprotein A1 , apolipoprotein B ( ApoB ) , and apolipoprotein B100 ] , blood pressure , and inflammation ( C-reactive protein ) in adults aged ≥18 y without prevalent CVD .