Overall , high-walnut-enriched diets significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol for the duration of the short-term trials .
BACKGROUND Consumption of nuts has been associated with a decreased risk of  cardiovascular disease events  and death .
Walnuts in particular have a unique profile : they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids , which may improve blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors .
OBJECTIVES We aim ed to conduct a literature review and a meta- analysis to combine the results from several trials and to estimate the effect of walnuts on blood lipids .
The effect of walnut intake on factors related to prostate and vascular health in older men
Background Tocopherols may protect against prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Methods We assessed the effect of walnuts , which are rich in tocopherols , on markers of prostate and vascular health in men at risk for prostate cancer . We conducted an 8-week walnut supplement study to examine effects of walnuts on serum tocopherols and prostate specific antigen ( PSA ) . Subjects ( n = 21 ) consumed ( in r and om order ) their usual diet + /- a walnut supplement ( 75 g/d ) that was isocalorically incorporated in their habitual diets . Prior to the supplement study , 5 fasted subjects participated in an acute timecourse experiment and had  blood taken at baseline and 1 , 2 , 4 , and 8 h after consuming walnuts ( 75 g ) . Results During the timecourse experiment , triglycerides peaked at 4 h , and gamma-tocopherol ( γ-T ) increased from 4 to 8 h. Triglyceride – normalized γ-T was two-fold higher ( P = 0.01 ) after 8 versus 4 h. In the supplement study , change from baseline was + 0.83 ± 0.52 μmol/L for γ-T , -2.65 ± 1.30 μmol/L for alpha-tocopherol ( α-T ) and -3.49 ± 1.99 for the tocopherol ratio ( α-T : γ-T ) . A linear mixed model showed that , although PSA did not change , the ratio of free PSA : total PSA increased and approached significance ( P = 0.07 ) . The α-T : γ-T ratio decreased significantly ( P = 0.01 ) , partly reflecting an increase in serum γ-T , which approached significance ( P = 0.08 ) . Conclusion The significant decrease in the α-T : γ-T ratio with an increase in serum γ-T and a trend towards an increase in the ratio of free PSA : total PSA following the 8-week supplement study suggest that walnuts may improve biomarkers of prostate and vascular status
Overall , high-walnut-enriched diets significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol for the duration of the short-term trials .
BACKGROUND Consumption of nuts has been associated with a decreased risk of  cardiovascular disease events  and death .
Walnuts in particular have a unique profile : they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids , which may improve blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors .
OBJECTIVES We aim ed to conduct a literature review and a meta- analysis to combine the results from several trials and to estimate the effect of walnuts on blood lipids .