Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and changes in lifestyle can minimize the likelihood of succumbing to heart disease. Anti-inflammatory agents are commonly used to reduce the chronic inflammatory state behind the pathogenesis of CVD. Multiple studies have been published correlating nut consumption with a reduction in both heart attacks and strokes. The goal of this study is to determine to what extent the consumption of almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts have on the blood markers associated with cardiac disease and inflammation.Methods: This was a six-week study in which subject’s baseline values act as controls. Fasting blood draws occurred at week 0, week 2, and after four weeks of intervention (week 6). All participants had undesirable lipid profiles and no medications related to heart disease.Results: Total cholesterol (TC): high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) ratio was lowered a statistically significant amount at the six-week time point (3.89 ± 0.74) compared to both the zero-week (4.93 ± 1.16, p < 0.01) and two-week (4.63 ± 1.20, p < 0.5) timepoints. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) measurements were lowered a statistically significant amount at the six-week time point (135.6 ± 15.0 mg/dL) compared to the zero-week (159.7 ± 12.3 mg/dL, p < 0.01). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was lowered a statistically significant amount at six-week time point (10.44 ± 5.05 mm/h) compared to the zero-week (14.44 ± 5.12 mm/h, p < 0.01).Conclusions: Blood markers associated with CVD specifically and the general marker for inflammation associated with many chronic diseases can be favorably modified with the consumption of specific nuts as demonstrated by this study.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide [1]
This recommendation was based on the following conclusion made by the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee [3] in its systematic review of the evidence on nut consumption and CVD risk: “There is moderate evidence that consumption of unsalted peanuts and tree nuts, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios, in the context of a nutritionally adequate diet and when total calorie intake is held constant, has a favorable impact on cardiovascular disease risk factors, serum lipid levels.”
The American College of Cardiology mentions that peanuts and pistachios reduce serum lipid levels, they were not included in our study
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide [1]. The current recommendation by the American College of Cardiology is to encourage a cardioprotective diet in all individuals regardless of the disease state [2] This recommendation was based on the following conclusion made by the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee [3] in its systematic review of the evidence on nut consumption and CVD risk: “There is moderate evidence that consumption of unsalted peanuts and tree nuts, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios, in the context of a nutritionally adequate diet and when total calorie intake is held constant, has a favorable impact on cardiovascular disease risk factors, serum lipid levels.”. The goal of this study is to determine to what extent the consumption of almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts have on the blood markers associated with cardiac disease and inflammation
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