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 .
Serum lipid response to the graduated enrichment of a Step I diet with almonds: a randomized feeding trial.
BACKGROUND Frequent consumption of nuts may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by favorably altering serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations . OBJECTIVE We compared the effects of 2 amounts of almond intake with those of a National Cholesterol Education Program Step I diet on serum lipids , lipoproteins , apolipoproteins , and glucose in healthy and mildly hypercholesterolemic adults . DESIGN In a r and omized crossover design , 25 healthy subjects ( 14 men , 11 women ) with a mean ( + /- SD ) age of 41 + /- 13 y were fed 3 isoenergetic diets for 4 wk each after being fed a 2-wk run-in diet ( containing 34 % of energy from fat ) . The experimental diets included a Step I diet , a low-almond diet , and a high-almond diet , in which almonds contributed 0 % , 10 % , and 20 % of total energy , respectively . RESULTS Inverse relations were observed between the percentage of energy in the diet from almonds and the subject 's total cholesterol ( P value for trend < 0.001 ) , LDL-cholesterol ( P < 0.001 ) , and apolipoprotein B ( P < 0.001 ) concentrations and the ratios of LDL to HDL cholesterol ( P < 0.001 ) and of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A ( P < 0.001 ) . Compared with the Step I diet , the high-almond diet reduced total cholesterol ( 0.24 mmol/L or 4.4 % ; P = 0.001 ) , LDL cholesterol ( 0.26 mmol/L or 7.0 % ; P < 0.001 ) , and apolipoprotein B ( 6.6 mg/dL or 6.6 % ; P < 0.001 ) ; increased HDL cholesterol ( 0.02 mmol/L or 1.7 % ; P = 0.08 ) ; and decreased the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol ( 8.8 % ; P < 0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Isoenergetic incorporation of approximately 68 g of almonds ( 20 % of energy ) into an 8368-kJ ( 2000-kcal ) Step I diet markedly improved the serum lipid profile  of healthy and mildly hypercholesterolemic adults .  Total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations declined with progressively higher intakes of almonds , which suggests a dose-response relation
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 .