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Effects of Almonds on Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Effects of a Diet Rich in Almonds on LDL Cholesterol, LDL Particle Size, Abdominal Adiposity and Vascular Health

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01101230
Acronym
ALD
Enrollment
61
Registered
2010-04-09
Start date
2009-09-30
Completion date
2012-05-31
Last updated
2023-08-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cardiovascular Disease

Keywords

Cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, low-density, lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides

Brief summary

The purpose of this research is to build the evidence base for approval of FDA health claims related to almonds and cardiovascular disease. A randomized, 2-period, crossover controlled feeding study was designed to compare the effects of two blood cholesterol lowering diets that meet the American Heart Association recommendations. The nutrient profiles of the control diet (no almonds/day) and almond diet (1.5 oz. of almonds/day) are matched for protein, saturated fat, and cholesterol. The study population consists of two cohorts of 25 men and women with moderately elevated LDL-C. The investigators hypothesize that a cholesterol-lowering diet designed with almonds confers greater cardioprotective effects than a cholesterol-lowering diet without almonds on the basis of the LDL-C lowering response, effect on LDL particle size, abdominal adiposity and vascular health.

Interventions

OTHERAlmonds

1.5 oz almonds/day

Sponsors

Almond Board of California
CollaboratorOTHER
Penn State University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
30 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* BMI (20-35) * Low density lipoprotein cholesterol males (128-194mg/dL) and females (121-190 mg/dL)

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or lactating * Smoking; cholesterol-lowering medication * Glucose-lowering medication * Over the counter cholesterol-lowering substances (e.g.: psyllium, fish oil, soy lecithin, phytoestrogen) * The following medical conditions: * heart disease * stroke * Heart attack * blood pressure \>140/90 * diabetes * renal or kidney disease * rheumatoid arthritis * blood clotting disorder * liver disease or cirrhosis * compromised immune system * peripheral vascular disease or circulation problems \*\> 10% body weight loss in the past 6 months * vegetarian * nut allergies

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Lipid/lipoprotein profileEnd of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides are measured as part of the lipoprotein profile. Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Lipoprotein (LDL, HDL, VLDL, IDL) subclassesEnd of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Abdominal adiposity as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometryEnd of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Leg adiposity as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometryEnd of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Apolipoproteins (A1 and B)End of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Additional lipid/lipoprotein measures (VLDL, IDL, and remnant lipoproteins)End of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Total body composition as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometryEnd of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Waist circumferenceEnd of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
HDL functionality (cholesterol efflux)End of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Cholesterol absorption/synthesis (measured by plasma plant sterols and cholesterol precursors)End of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).
Vascular health (plasma nitric oxide)End of diet period 1 (week 6) and diet period 2 (week 14)Diet period one runs for 6 weeks, then there is a 2 week compliance break, and then diet period two runs for 6 weeks (total time commitment is 14 weeks).

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 9, 2026