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 .
Efficacy of Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.
Efficacy and tolerability of artichoke dry extract ( drug/extract ratio 25 - 35:1 , aquous extract , CY450 ) as coated tablets containing 450 mg extract ( tradename : Valverde Artischocke bei Verdauungsbeschwerden ) was investigated in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia and compared with placebo .  143 adult patients with initial total cholesterol of > 7.3 mmol/l ( > 280 mg/dl ) were included in a double blind , r and omized , placebo controlled , multi-center clinical trial . Patients received 1,800 mg artichoke dry extract per day or placebo over 6 weeks . Changes of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol from baseline to the end of treatment showed a statistically significant superiority ( p = 0.0001 ) of artichoke dry extract over placebo . The decrease of total cholesterol in the CY450 group was 18.5 % compared to 8.6 % in the placebo group . LDL-cholesterol decrease in the CY450 group was 22.9 % and 6.3 % for placebo . LDL/HDL ratio showed a decrease of 20.2 % in the CY450 group and 7.2 % in the placebo group . There were no drug related adverse events during this study indicating an excellent tolerability of artichoke dry extract . This prospect i ve study could contribute clear evidence to recommend artichoke dry extract CY450 for treating hyperlipoproteinemia and , thus , prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease
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 .