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 profiles in Japanese women and men during consumption of walnuts
Objective : To determine the serum cholesterol , apolipoproteins and LDL oxidizability in young Japanese women and men during walnut consumption and to evaluate its active principle . Design : Experimental study with a r and omized design .Subjects : Twenty healthy women and 20 healthy men . Interventions : Subjects were r and omly assigned to consume each of two mixed natural diets for 4 weeks in a cross-over design . Reference and walnut diets were design ed and the walnut diet had 12.5 % of the energy derived from walnuts ( 44–58 g/day ) . Results : The total cholesterol and serum apolipoprotein B concentrations , and the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol was significantly lowered in women and men when fed on the walnut diet , than when on the reference diet ( P≤0.05 ) . The LDL cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered in women on the walnut diet ( 0.22 mmol/l , P=0.0008 ) , whereas this decrease was not significant in men ( 0.18 mmol/l , P=0.078 ) . The most prominent change in the fatty acid composition of the cholesteryl esters from serum after the walnut diet was an elevation of α-linolenic acid in women ( 76 % , P<0.001 ) and men ( 107 % , P<0.001 ) . This elevation was negatively correlated to the change in LDL cholesterol in women ( r=0.496 , P=0.019 ) and men ( r=0.326 , P=0.138 ) . The LDL oxidizability in women was not influenced by the diets ( P=0.19 ) . Conclusions : α-Linolenic acid in the walnut diet appears to be responsible for the lowering of LDL cholesterol in women . Sponsorship : Kyushu University ( Fukuoka , Japan ) and the California Walnut Commission ( California , USA )
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 .