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 .
Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans.
BACKGROUND Short-term trials showed that conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) may reduce body fat mass ( BFM ) and increase lean body mass ( LBM ) , but the long-term effect of CLA was not examined . OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to ascertain the 1-y effect of CLA on body composition and safety in healthy overweight adults consuming an ad libitum diet . DESIGN Male and female volunteers ( n = 180 ) with body mass indexes ( in kg/m(2 ) ) of 25 - 30 were included in a double-blind , placebo-controlled study . Subjects were r and omly assigned to 3 groups : CLA-free fatty acid ( FFA ) , CLA-triacylglycerol , or placebo ( olive oil ) .  Change in BFM , as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry , was the primary outcome . Secondary outcomes included the effects of CLA on LBM , adverse events , and safety variables . RESULTS Mean ( + /- SD ) BFM in the CLA-triacylglycerol and CLA-FFA groups was 8.7 + /- 9.1 % and 6.9 + /- 9.1 % , respectively , lower than that in the placebo group ( P < 0.001 ) . Subjects receiving CLA-FFA had 1.8 + /- 4.3 % greater LBM than did subjects receiving placebo ( P = 0.002 ) . These changes were not associated with diet or exercise . LDL increased in the CLA-FFA group ( P = 0.008 ) , HDL decreased in the CLA-triacylglycerol group ( P = 0.003 ) , and lipoprotein(a ) increased in both CLA groups ( P < 0.001 ) compared with month 0 . Fasting blood glucose concentrations remained unchanged in all 3 groups . Glycated hemoglobin rose in all groups from month 0 concentrations , but there was no significant difference between groups . Adverse events did not differ significantly between groups . CONCLUSION Long-term supplementation with CLA-FFA or CLA-triacylglycerol reduces BFM in healthy overweight adults
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 .