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Macadamia Nuts Rich Reduce Total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol |
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Written by Robbie Durand
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Monday, 21 April 2008 |
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Nuts are a unique food in that they are low in SFA, rich in unsaturated
fatty acids, and contain numerous bioactive compounds that beneficially
affect cardiovascular disease risk.
Nuts are a unique food in that they are low in SFA, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, and contain numerous bioactive compounds that beneficially affect cardiovascular disease risk. Several major epidemiologic studies and numerous clinical studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of nut consumption on coronary disease risk. Macadamia nuts are a rich source of MUFA. Subjects with high cholesterol were fed 1.5 ounces of macadamia nuts [MAC; 33% total fat (7% SFA, 18% MUFA, and 5% PUFA)] for 5 weeks and were compared to an average American diet [AAD; 33% total fat (13% SFA, 11% MUFA, and 5% PUFA)]. The results of this study demonstrate that inclusion of 1.5 ounces of macadamia nuts in a cholesterol-lowering diet significantly reduces total cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations. In addition, the consumption of macadamia nuts reduced the ratio of TC: HDL from 5.4 to 4.9. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that for every 1 unit decrease in the TC: HDL-C ratio, there is a 53% decrease in the risk of myocardial infarction. Adding macadamia nuts may be help bodybuilders reduce the risk of heart disease.
Griel AE, Cao Y, Bagshaw DD, Cifelli AM, Holub B, Kris-Etherton PM. A macadamia nut-rich diet reduces total and LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women. J Nutr. 2008 Apr;138(4):761-7.
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Research and Review 