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Does the addition of almonds to a Step I diet provide additional LDL‐C lowering?
Author(s) -
Berryman Claire E,
Bordi Peter L,
Fleming Jennifer A,
West Sheila G,
Hill Alison M,
KrisEtherton Penny M
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.971.26
Subject(s) - chemistry , zoology , crossover study , calorie , food science , ldl cholesterol , cholesterol , medicine , biochemistry , biology , alternative medicine , pathology , placebo
Clinical evidence has shown that almond consumption lowers LDL‐C in controlled and free‐living studies. The inclusion of one serving of almonds (1.5 oz/day) in a LDL‐C lowering diet may elicit greater cardioprotective benefits than a similar diet without almonds. In a randomized, 2‐period, crossover controlled‐feeding study, volunteers (n=19; BMI range: 22–32 m/kg 2 ) with moderately elevated LDL‐C (50–95 th percentile) consumed an isocaloric (+/− <3 kg), reduced total and saturated fat (SFA) diet with almonds (ALD: 51.8% CHO, 16.7% PRO, 31.5% FAT, <10% SFA, 1.5 oz. of almonds/day) or a similar diet with a calorie‐matched muffin (CON: 59.3% CHO, 15.4% PRO, 25.2% FAT, <10% SFA, no almonds/day). Both the ALD and CON diets significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC, P<0.01; Baseline, 224 mg/dL; ALD, 201 mg/dL; CON, 208 mg/dL) and LDL‐C (P<0.01; Baseline, 142 mg/dL; ALD, 121 mg/dL; CON, 128 mg/dL) compared to baseline. Despite a greater reduction in TC and LDL‐C following ALD versus baseline, the difference between intervention diets was not significant. Diet did not have a significant effect on HDL‐C, triglycerides, or the TC: HDL‐C ratio. The results of cohort 1 are the basis for determining subject number needed to demonstrate significant LDL‐C lowering effects of almonds that extend beyond those attributed to their fatty acid profile. This study was supported by the Almond Board of California.