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 .
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
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 .