High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Risk Research Articles

Serum monoterpene levels, glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, and metabolic syndrome in adults: NHANES, 2013–2014

Monoterpenes are organic compounds which have been studied for their medicinal benefits. However, the association between monoterpene exposure and metabolic parameters in humans is unknown. We investigated the connection between three specific monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene), glucose homeostasis biomarkers, lipid profiles, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in 1627 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. We found serum levels of α-pinene and β-pinene were positively associated with fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B. In addition, increased levels of limonene and Σmonoterpene (sum of three monoterpene chemicals) were linked to higher insulin, β-cell function, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B. Participants with all three monoterpenes above the 50th percentile had notably higher values for total cholesterol and triglycerides compared to those with all three monoterpenes below the 50th percentile (P for trend <0.001). Regarding MS, higher serum concentrations of α-pinene were linked to an increased risk of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) insufficiency and hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated concentrations of β-pinene were associated with a higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia. Moreover, increased levels of limonene and Σmonoterpene were connected to a higher risk of MS, larger waist circumference, low HDL-C, hypertriglyceridemia, and higher blood pressure according to MS criteria. In conclusion, serum monoterpenes levels were linked to glucose regulation, lipid profiles, and indicators of MS. Further studies are necessary to clarify the potential causal relationships.

Fruit and Vegetables Consumption in Relation to Health and Diet of Medical Students in Crete, Greece

In Greece, prevalence of cardiovascular disease has been increasing during the last few decades. From a public health point of view, it is important to identify lifestyle practices associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. As part of the Clinical Nutrition course at the University of Crete School of Medicine, 507 medical students (292 men, 215 women) were examined during the period 1995-2001. Individual 24-hour dietary recalls were taken, lifestyle questionnaires were completed, and anthropometric and serum lipid measurements were performed. Fruits and vegetables were consumed by 90% of men (370 +/- 275 g/day) and 94% of women (354 +/- 283 g/day). Among non/ex-smokers who ate fruit and vegetables, 41% consumed > or = 400 g/day, compared to 31% of current smokers (p = 0.05). The risk for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) < 35 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) > 130 mg/dL, and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (TC:HDL-C) > or = 5 decreased with increasing quartile of fruit and vegetables consumption (trend p < 0.01). Fruit and vegetable intake was favorably related to intake of dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamins C, E, A, B1 and B6, and inversely related to saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol. Prospective studies should be performed within the general young adult population to assess the long-term effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on chronic disease risk development.