Nuts and Lipids

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*Eating nuts improves blood lipid levels,* which may help stave off heart

disease, researchers found.

In a pooled analysis of 25 intervention trials, eating an average of 67

grams of nuts a day (2.4 ounces) reduced total cholesterol by 5.9% and LDL

cholesterol by 7.4% (*P*<0.001 for both), according to Joan Sabaté, MD,

DrPH, of Loma University in California, and colleagues.

The ratios of total to HDL cholesterol and of LDL to HDL cholesterol also

were reduced (*P*<0.001 for both), they reported in the May 10 *Archives of

Internal Medicine*.

Epidemiological studies have linked nut consumption with a reduced risk of

coronary heart disease, and many dietary intervention trials have studied

the effects of nut consumption on blood lipid levels.

" This study gives evidence that the cholesterol-lowering mechanism is one of

the driving forces in the previously discovered relationship that nuts

prevents heart attack, " Sabaté said in an interview

In 2003, the FDA okayed a qualified health claim that evidence suggests --

but does not prove -- that eating 1.5 ounces (43 grams) of nuts per day as

part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol reduces coronary heart

disease risk.

The government allows the claim on dietary labeling for specific nuts,

including almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, and some

pine nuts.

Although the decrease in LDL cholesterol in the current analysis is modest

compared with that seen with statins, " the value of regular nut consumption

for coronary heart disease prevention is unlikely due to the blood

cholesterol-lowering effect alone, " Sabaté and his colleagues wrote.

Indeed, they wrote, " nut consumption exerts beneficial effects by improving

endothelial function, lowering oxidative stress, and reducing lipoprotein(a)

level. "

To assess the effects of nut consumption, the researchers performed a pooled

analysis of raw data from 25 intervention trials conducted in seven

countries that included 583 men and women with normolipidemia or

hypercholesterolemia. None of the participants was taking lipid-lowering

medications. Sample size ranged from 10 to 49.

All of the dietary interventions were exclusively nuts -- mostly almonds and

walnuts -- and ranged in duration from three to eight weeks.

Quantities ranged from 23 to 132 grams per day, with a mean of 67 grams.

The interventions resulted in the following mean reductions (with percentage

changes), regardless of the type of nut used (*P*<0.001 for all):

- Total cholesterol: 10.9 mg/dL (5.1%)

- LDL cholesterol: 10.2 mg/dL (7.4%)

- Ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol: 0.22 (8.3%)

- Ratio of total to HDL cholesterol: 0.24 (5.6%)

Triglycerides were reduced only for individuals with hypertriglyceridemia

(baseline level of at least 150 mg/dL). The mean reduction in this group was

20.6 mg/dL (10.2%).

HDL cholesterol concentration was not affected.

Nut consumption improved blood lipid levels in a dose-dependent fashion. For

example, if 20% of dietary energy came from nuts, there were 4.5% and 6.5%

reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, respectively.

If 10% of dietary energy came from nuts, the reductions were 2.8% and 4.2%,

respectively.

At the amount included in the FDA-approved claim statement -- about 43 grams

per day -- the reductions were 3.2% for total and 4.9% for LDL cholesterol.

The lipid-lowering effects of nuts were magnified among individuals with

higher baseline LDL levels, those with a lower body mass index, and those

consuming a Western diet high in total and saturated fat (versus a

Mediterranean diet high in total fat but low in saturated fat).

" Greater cholesterol lowering effect is found when nuts replace saturated

fat than when olive oil or carbohydrates are replaced, " Sabaté and his

colleagues wrote. " This finding has important clinical and public health

applications. "

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--

Ortiz, MS, RD

" I plan on living forever - so far so good "

" Cause of obesity, heart disease and cancer: Look at the end of your fork "