Day-long glucose, insulin, and fructose responses of hyperinsulinemic and nonhyperinsulinemic men adapted to diets containing either fructose or high-amylose cornstarch

Ten hyperinsulinemic and 11 nonhyperinsulinemic men consumed a typical American diet containing 20% of calories either as fructose or as high-amylose cornstarch for 5 wk in a crossover design to determine their effects on indices of glucose tolerance. Blood glucose, insulin, and fructose were determined before and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Glucose responses were significantly lower 60 and 120 min and the insulin response lower 60 min after the meals containing fructose. Hyperinsulinemic men showed a tendency toward decreased insulin sensitivity after consuming fructose on the basis of an increased insulin-to-glucose ratio and decreased insulin binding to erythrocytes. These results generally show a beneficial effect of fructose on glucose tolerance; however, recommendations for including large amounts of fructose in the diet should also be based on a complete evaluation of the effect on other metabolic risk factors.     

Effect of dietary sugars on metabolic risk factors associated with heart disease

The results from studies in which the effects of the extended feeding of sugars such as sucrose and fructose as compared to starch and other glucose-based carbohydrates on metabolic risk factors associated with heart disease have been reviewed. In general, the feeding of the sugars as compared to starch produced undesirable changes in metabolic risk factors such as blood triglycerides, total cholesterol and its lipoprotein distribution, insulin and uric acid. Other dietary components (e.g., saturated fat) can magnify the adverse metabolic effects of the sugars. A finite segment of the population characterized by high levels of triglycerides and insulin may be at a substantially higher risk than is the general population from the present level of intake of sucrose or fructose.     

Plasma fructose, uric acid, and inorganic phosphorus responses of hyperinsulinemic men fed fructose

We fed 12 men with abnormally high insulin responses to a sucrose load and 12 controls normal diets containing 0, 7.5, or 15% of the calories as pure fructose for 5 weeks each in a crossover design. Purified wheat starch replaced the fructose in the 0 and 7.5% diets. The two groups were matched for age, height, and weight. At the beginning of the study and at the end of each of the three 5-week periods, plasma responses to a sucrose load (2 gm/kg body weight) were measured. Initially there were no significant differences in the plasma fructose, uric acid, or inorganic phosphorus responses of the two groups. Plasma fructose responses to a sucrose load were significantly higher after the men consumed the 7.5 and 15% fructose diets than after the 0% diet. Uric acid responses tended to be greater in the hyperinsulinemic men than in controls and increased as the levels of fructose in the diet increased. The inorganic phosphorus levels after a sucrose load were higher in the hyperinsulinemic men than in controls when they consumed the 7.5 and 15% fructose diets. These results indicate that moderate levels of dietary fructose can affect plasma fructose, uric acid, and inorganic phosphorus levels, especially in hyperinsulinemic men.     

Serum triglycerides and risk of coronary heart disease among Japanese men and women

To examine the relation of triglycerides with coronary heart disease among populations with low mean total cholesterol, the authors conducted a 15.5-year prospective study ending in 1997 of 11,068 Japanese aged 40-69 years (4,452 men and 6,616 women with mean total cholesterol = 4.73 mmol/liter and 5.03 mmol/liter, respectively), initially free of coronary heart disease or stroke. There were 236 coronary heart disease events comprising 133 myocardial infarctions, 68 angina pectoris events, and 44 sudden cardiac deaths. The coronary heart disease incidence was greater in a dose-response manner across increasing quartiles of nonfasting triglycerides for both sexes. The multivariate relative risk of coronary heart disease adjusting for coronary risk factors and time since last meal associated with a 1-mmol/liter increase in triglycerides was 1.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 1.53; p = 0.004) for men and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.75; p = 0.001) for women. The trend was similar for myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and sudden cardiac death. The relation of triglycerides with coronary heart disease was not influenced materially by total cholesterol levels or, in a subsample analysis (51% of total sample), by high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Nonfasting serum triglycerides predict the incidence of coronary heart disease among Japanese men and women who possess low mean values of total cholesterol. Further adjustment for high density lipoprotein cholesterol suggests an independent role of triglycerides on the coronary heart disease risk.     

上海市华泾镇社区居民脑卒中危险因素分析

目的探讨华泾镇社区脑卒中发生的危险因素。方法选择356例脑卒中患者和85例对照组为研究对象。以是否为脑卒中为应变量。以家族史、高血压、糖尿病、心脏病、房颤、血尿酸、总胆固醇、甘油三酯和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇为自变量，采用kgistic多因素回归分析脑卒中危险因素。结果校正年龄和性别后，多因素分析显示血尿酸、心脏病、高血压和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与脑卒中的发生独立相关，OR值分别为10．165、2．822、2．525和1．122，均有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；脑卒中和对照组患者的血尿酸水平和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇经t检验，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；脑卒中再发组、初发组和对照组方差分析，显示高血压、心脏病和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论华泾镇社区脑卒中的危险因素依次为血尿酸、心脏病、高血压和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇。高血压、心脏病和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与脑卒中的再发有密切关系。     

Determinants of plasma lipoproteins and coagulation factors in men from Caerphilly, South Wales.

Dietary, social, and constitutional determinants of plasma concentrations of some major risk factors for ischaemic heart disease were investigated in a cross sectional study among 711 men from the general population aged 30-69. For high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) six variables were significantly associated with plasma concentrations, and these variables explained 12.6% of the variance. For low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (T-C), and triglyceride 8.4%, 7.5%, and 18.5% of the variance was explained by significantly associated variables. Fibrinogen concentrations determined chemically were significantly associated with age, smoking habit, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and intake of cereal fibre (24.2% variance). These data provide some encouragement for the possibility of dietary intervention to influence plasma concentrations of major risk factors for ischaemic heart disease in men.     

Lipoproteins as predictors of ischemic heart disease in non-insulin-dependent diabetic men

In order to determine whether low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which are predictive of ischemic heart disease in the general population, can also predict death from ischemic heart disease among diabetic men, we contrasted lipoprotein and other heart disease risk factors in 62 men with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 14 of whom died of ischemic heart disease during a 12-year follow-up period. Compared to all other diabetic men, those who died of ischemic heart disease were older, had higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) total plasma cholesterol, and triglycerides, lower HDL-C levels, and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and were more likely to have been cigarette smokers; only total cholesterol, LDL-C, and the LDL/HDL ratio were statistically significant. Age, FPG, total plasma cholesterol, and LDL-C were all independently predictive of fatal heart disease by multivariate analysis. Neither HDL-C nor the LDL/HDL ratio predicted ischemic heart disease death better than the total plasma cholesterol or LDL-C. The use of HDL-C, LDL-C, or total plasma cholesterol level in the model did not eliminate the significant association with FPG, which suggests that the noxious effect of hyperglycemia is independent of the changes in blood lipids.     

The NHLBI twin study of cardiovascular disease risk factors: methodology and summary of results

Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors were studied in 250 monozygotic (MZ) and 264 dizygotic (DZ) male veteran twin pairs, aged 42-56. All coronary heart disease risk factors studied showed significant correlations in both MZ and DZ twins. Substantial genetic variation was detected for height, blood pressure, glucose intolerance, uric acid, plasma triglyceride, and relative weight but little or no significant genetic variability in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total plasma cholesterol or hematocrit was demonstrable. These findings suggest that familial aggregation results from genetic influence on blood pressure, glucose intolerance, uric acid, triglyceride and, possibly, obesity, while largely shared environmental factors contribute to familial similarities in HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and hematocrit.     

The relationship between parental history of vascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors in children: the Bogalusa Heart Study

The relationship between parental history of vascular disease (heart attack, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) and risk factor variables for cardiovascular disease was assessed in 3,312 offspring aged 5-17 years during the 1981-1982 school year in the biracial community of Bogalusa, Louisiana. Risk factors studied included systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and individual lipoprotein cholesterol (beta-, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; pre-beta, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol; and alpha-, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol). Risk factors were adjusted for age, race, sex, and height (blood pressure only) prior to testing parental history effects. Univariate comparisons between risk factors in children and vascular disease in parents resulted in statistically significant increases in systolic and diastolic pressures associated with the presence of maternal or paternal hypertension (p less than 0.001). Paternal heart attack was also associated with elevations in diastolic pressure (p less than 0.01) of children. Maternal diabetes mellitus was associated with an increase in serum total cholesterol (p less than 0.05). Paternal diabetes mellitus and maternal heart attack (for female progeny only) were associated with increases in mean triglyceride levels of children. VLDL cholesterol results were similar to those for triglycerides. For HDL cholesterol, paternal diabetes mellitus was associated with a small decrease in mean levels (p less than 0.05). Dramatic increases to the highest decile of risk were found in association with the following parental disease combinations: paternal heart attack-paternal diabetes for serum total cholesterol (p less than 0.0001), maternal heart attack-paternal diabetes (p less than 0.001) and paternal stroke-maternal diabetes (p less than 0.0001) for LDL cholesterol. Multivariate analysis detected no significant effects of single parental vascular disease. However, paternal heart attack in combination with either diabetes mellitus or hypertension was statistically significant in their relationship to the risk factors overall.     

Isocaloric exchange of dietary starch and sucrose in humans. I. Effects on levels of fasting blood lipids.

For 6 weeks, 10 men and nine women aged 35 to 55 consumed each of two diets in a cross-over design. The diets were comprised of identical natural foods with 30% of the calories as either sucrose or cooked wheat starch. Carbohydrate, fat and protein supplied 43, 42, and 15% of the calories, respectively. Of the calories 10% were eaten at breakfast (7:00 to 8:30 AM) and 90% at dinner (4:30 to 6:30 PM). Initial body weights were essentially maintained. Total serum lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher when the subjects consumed the sucrose diet than when they consumed the starch diet. Increases associated with the sucrose diet were greatest for triglycerides (33.0%). In a subgroup of nine subjects with triglyceride levels above the normal range, sucrose feeding increased triglyceride levels 45.2%. Triglycerides and pre-beta lipoproteins were significantly higher in males than in females. Pre-beta lipoproteins were 32% higher when the subjects consumed sucrose than when they consumed starch. For alpha and beta lipoproteins, small, nonsignificant increases were associated with sucrose feeding. Serum free fatty acids were not affected by diet. These results indicate that the consumption of sucrose can increase blood lipids that are considered to be risk factors in heart disease and that males and carbohydrate-sensitive individuals may be more susceptible than others to the effects of sucrose.     

纤维蛋白原、血尿酸与冠心病严重程度的关系

目的探讨纤维蛋白原、血尿酸与冠心病严重程度的相关性。方法将156例行冠状动脉造影的患者按造影结果分为冠心病组和对照组,根据冠状动脉损害严重程度,用Leaman积分法进行评分。采用多因素分析方法探讨冠心病及Leaman积分与纤维蛋白原、血尿酸等因素的相关性。结果冠心病危险因素的Logistic回归分析显示,吸烟、年龄、纤维蛋白原、甘油三酯和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与冠心病独立相关,其中纤维蛋白原的OR值及95%CI为5.53(2.08～14.70);性别、血尿酸等其他指标与冠心病相关性无统计学意义。冠状动脉Leaman积分的多元逐步回归分析显示,年龄、纤维蛋白原、总胆固醇、脂蛋白(a)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与冠状动脉积分独立相关,其中纤维蛋白原最为显著(t=4.70,P<0.001),而性别、血尿酸与冠状动脉积分相关性无统计学意义。结论纤维蛋白原为冠心病的独立危险因素之一,与冠心病严重程度独立相关。未发现血尿酸的水平增高是冠心病的独立危险因素。     

Relation of body fatness and its distribution to cardiovascular risk factors in young blacks and whites. The role of insulin

Persons whose body fat is distributed predominantly in the abdomen compared with the hips are at increased risk of several chronic diseases. This study examined the cross-sectional relation of percent body fat, computed from skinfold thickness, and fat distribution, measured by the waist-to-hip girth ratio, to physiologic cardiovascular risk factors in a biracial sample (blacks and whites) of young adults aged 18-30 years. The subjects were persons who were examined at baseline (1984-1986) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study in four US metropolitan areas. The two hypotheses tested were that 1) after adjusting for percent body fat, waist-to-hip girth ratio is associated with several physiologic risk factors, and 2) fasting concentrations of serum insulin partly explain such association. Percent body fat was significantly associated with all measured blood lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, uric acid, and blood pressure. Waist-to-hip girth ratio was significantly, although more weakly, associated in multivariate models with blood concentrations of triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I and B, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (in women only), uric acid, and systolic blood pressure, but was not associated in either sex with total cholesterol, HDL3 cholesterol, or diastolic blood pressure. Fasting serum insulin concentrations were significantly associated with percent body fat (Pearson r = 0.45-0.53), waist-to-hip girth ratio (Pearson r = 0.18-0.27), and most of the physiologic risk factors. Inclusion of fasting insulin in multivariate models reduced, but rarely eliminated, associations between waist-to-hip girth ratio and the physiologic risk factors. These findings suggest that obese young adults, especially those with abdominal fat preponderance, carry a physiologic profile that places them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and that fasting insulin concentrations are only partly explanatory.     

Increases in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels with movement from the supine to standing position in adult men and women

The effect of movement from the supine to the standing position on the magnitude of change in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels and its impact on the prediction of risk for coronary heart disease was investigated in 23 male and 18 female subjects. The mean age and body weight of the men was 34 years and 93 kg, respectively, while those of women were 36 years and 71 kg. Thirty minutes of standing following thirty minutes in the supine position was associated with hemoconcentration and a significant (P less than 0.05) plasma volume reduction of -13.8% for men and women combined. Posture-related increases in serum lipids and lipoproteins were similar among both men and women and averaged +12% for triglycerides, +9.3% for total cholesterol, +9.0% for low-density lipoprotein + very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and +10.4% for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Among men, the latter increased from 41.4 to 45.6 mg X dl-1 while among women, the increase was from 58.0 to 64.3 mg X dl-1. The total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was unaffected by the change in body position, thus strengthening the reliability of this ratio as a coronary heart disease risk measure. Our findings indicate that body position at time of blood withdrawal significantly influences lipid and lipoprotein levels, and, depending on the absolute concentration values of total or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, can alter the predictive risk for coronary heart disease. Heart disease. Heart disease risk based on the Framingham probability tables and the multiplier for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is unaffected by the change in body position.     

Parental history of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke: Relationship to coronary heart disease risk factor variables in their adult children

Relationships of parental (familial) history of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes to major coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors were examined in 738 adults (average age, 40 years) in the Cincinnati Lipid Research Clinics Princeton School study. Men reporting parental CHD had higher plasma triglyceride and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than comparison group men reporting no parental CHD, stroke, hypertension, or diabetes. Women reporting parental CHD had higher plasma triglycerides than comparison group women reporting no parental CHD, stroke, hypertension, or diabetes. Men reporting stroke in one parent had higher total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels than comparison men. Women reporting stroke in one parent had higher triglyceride levels than comparison group women. Women reporting hypertension in one parent had higher mean triglyceride and systolic blood pressure than comparison women. Men and women reporting diabetes in one parent had higher triglyceride than comparison adults. Matching men whose fathers had died of CHD with those whose fathers were free of CHD revealed significant increments in triglyceride levels, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure in the men with positive family history of CHD. Matching women whose fathers had died of CHD with those whose fathers were free of CHD revealed higher total plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and Quetelet index. In men, categorical assessment by CHD risk factor levels (low, intermediate, high), revealed that plasma triglycerides and systolic blood pressure were positively associated with a parental history of CHD, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was inversely related. In women, similar observations were made for triglycerides. Family history is a practical tool for identification of risk to CHD, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes. Serial risk factor measurements in offspring from CHD-, hypertension-, stroke-, and diabetes-positive families should have considerable utility in early recognition and documentation of CHD risk factor levels which, in turn, should facilitate primary intervention designed to ameliorate or prevent the development of CHD.     

A diet rich in high-oleic-acid sunflower oil favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and factor VII coagulant activity

OBJECTIVE: To compare concentrations of factor VII coagulant activity (factor VIIc), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and blood lipids on a saturated fat-rich diet with one rich in monounsaturated fat. DESIGN: Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups. The study design was an ABB/BAA extra-period crossover. One group consumed a diet rich in saturated fatty acid (SFA) with fat making up 20.8% of total energy, for 5 weeks and then one rich in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), with fat making up 20.3% of total energy for 10 weeks. The other group consumed the MUFA diet for 5 weeks followed by the SFA diet for 10 weeks. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Men and women aged 35 to 69 years who were nonsmokers with no chronic illness and not on any medication were recruited to participate. Eighteen subjects were recruited and 15 (5 men, 10 women) completed the community-based study. INTERVENTION: Blood was sampled at the beginning and end point of each 5-week diet period for analysis of coagulation and fibrinolysis factors and blood lipids. Subjects kept 3-day food diaries twice during each of the three diet periods and were weighed on each visit for blood collection. Analysis of plasma fatty acids was used to indicate dietary compliance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in fasting factor VIIc, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A-1 and B, and plasma oleic acid levels while receiving the SFA diet vs MUFA diet. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A general linear model allowing for the ABB/BAA extra-period crossover, was used for each of the outcome measures. RESULTS: Factor VIIc was lower on the MUFA diet ( P <.05) but fibrinogen and insulin concentrations and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity did not differ between diets. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P <.001) and triglyceride ( P <.01) levels were lower on the MUFA diet compared with the SFA diet. A significant increase in both plasma phospholipid and neutral lipid oleic acid (P <.0001) occurred on the MUFA diet. CONCLUSIONS: Substitution of foods rich in saturated fat with foods rich in high-oleic-acid sunflower oil and margarine has favorable outcomes on blood lipids and factor VIIc. This oil presents another useful source of MUFA for diets aimed at prevention of heart disease.     

Black tea consumption reduces total and LDL cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults

Despite epidemiological evidence that tea consumption is associated with the reduced risk of coronary heart disease, experimental studies designed to show that tea affects oxidative stress or blood cholesterol concentration have been unsuccessful. We assessed the effects of black tea consumption on lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults. Tea and other beverages were included in a carefully controlled weight-maintaining diet. Five servings/d of tea were compared with a placebo beverage in a blinded randomized crossover study (7 men and 8 women, consuming a controlled diet for 3 wk/treatment). The caffeine-free placebo was prepared to match the tea in color and taste. In a third period, caffeine was added to the placebo in an amount equal to that in the tea. Five servings/d of tea reduced total cholesterol 6.5%, LDL cholesterol 11.1%, apolipoprotein B 5% and lipoprotein(a) 16.4% compared with the placebo with added caffeine. Compared with the placebo without added caffeine, total cholesterol was reduced 3.8% and LDL cholesterol was reduced 7.5% whereas apolipoprotein B, Lp(a), HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I and triglycerides were unchanged. Plasma oxidized LDL, F2-isoprostanes, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, ex vivo ferric ion reducing capacity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in LDL were not affected by tea consumption compared with either placebo. Thus, inclusion of tea in a diet moderately low in fat reduces total and LDL cholesterol by significant amounts and may, therefore, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Tea consumption did not affect antioxidant status in this study.     

冠心病患者心房颤动与血清尿酸的相关性研究

目的 探讨冠心病患者心房颤动与血清尿酸水平的相关性.方法 选择住院治疗的冠心病患者247例,所有患者按有无心房颤动及心房颤动持续时间分为单纯冠心病组（90例）、冠心病合并阵发性心房颤动组（85例）和冠心病合并持续性/永久性心房颤动组（72例）.记录三组患者年龄、心血管相关病史、尿酸水平、心脏彩超情况及相关用药史,采用Logistic回归分析冠心病患者心房颤动发生的危险因素.结果 三组吸烟史、舒张压、体质量指数、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、肌酐、空腹血糖、餐后2h血糖、室间隔厚度、颈动脉内膜-中层厚度及用药史比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.冠心病合并阵发性心房颤动组和冠心病合并持续性/永久性心房颤动组年龄、收缩压、尿酸、左房内径（LAD）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）明显高于单纯冠心病组,左室射血分数则明显低于单纯冠心病组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01或＜0.05）.Logistic回归分析显示：高尿酸、高龄、LAD和LVEDD增大是冠心病患者心房颤动的独立危险因素,其中尿酸水平与心房颤动相关性最显著（P=0.001,OR=1.061,95％ CI 1.026～1.096）.结论 高尿酸水平可能是冠心病患者发生心房颤动的危险因素.     

Use of hamster as a model to study diet-induced atherosclerosis

Background

High serum uric acid concentration (hyperuricemia) has been studied for its relationship with multiple adverse health outcomes, such as metabolic syndrome. Intervention studies have produced inconsistent outcomes for the relationship between fructose intake and serum uric acid concentration.

Methods

The association of dietary fructose intake with hyperuricemia risk in adults was examined using logistic regression and U.S. NHANES 1999-2004 databases. A total of 9,384 subjects, between the ages 20 and 80 years, without diabetes, cancer, or heart disease, were included.

Results

The highest added or total fructose intake (quartiles by grams or % energy) was not associated with an increase of hyperuricemia risk compared to the lowest intake with or without adjustment (odds ratios = 0.515-0.992). The associations of alcohol and fiber intakes with the risk were also determined. Compared to the lowest intake, the highest alcohol intake was associated with increased mean serum uric acid concentration (up to 16%, P < 0.001) and hyperuricemia risk (odds ratios = 1.658-1.829, P = 0.057- < 0.001); the highest fiber intake was correlated with decreases of uric acid concentration (up to 7.5%, P < 0.002) and lower risk (odds ratios = 0.448-0.478, P = 0.001- < 0.001). Adults who were over 50 y old, male, or obese had significantly greater risk.

Conclusions

The data show that increased dietary fructose intake was not associated with increased hyperuricemia risk; while increased dietary alcohol intake was significantly associated with increased hyperuricemia risk; and increased fiber intake was significantly associated with decreased hyperuricemia risk. These data further suggest a potential effect of fructose consumption in an ordinary diet on serum uric acid differs from results found in some short-term studies using atypical exposure and/or levels of fructose administration.     

Dietary cardiovascular risk factors and serum cholesterol in an Old Order Mennonite community.

OBJECTIVES: Dietary and coronary heart disease risk factors in Old Order Mennonite men and women were examined. METHODS: A food frequency questionnaire was mailed to 250 Mennonites who had participated in a previous study of coronary heart disease risk factors. RESULTS: Mennonites consumed a diet high in total fat, saturated fats, and cholesterol. Men had lower average serum cholesterol levels (174 mg/dL) than women (191 mg/dL). CONCLUSIONS: The Mennonites' diet was similar to that of the overall US population in saturated fat percentage and higher in cholesterol. Serum cholesterol levels, adiposity, and blood pressure were lower than expected among Mennonite men, perhaps because of their higher levels of physical activity.     

Effects of walnut consumption as part of a low-fat,low-cholesterol diet on serum cardiovascular risk factors

Serum components, such as lipoproteins, coagulation factors (factor VII, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), fibrinogen), and homocysteine have been associated with cardiovascular disease. Dietary intervention with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet has favorably influenced cardiovascular disease and certain food, specifically the consumption of nuts, has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. The effects of walnuts, as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, on serum cardiovascular risk factors were determined. Sixty-seven (67) outpatients with borderline high total cholesterol following a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet for six weeks before being randomly assigned to continue the diet or have 64 grams/day of walnuts in conjunction with the diet. After six weeks, the patients' diets were switched. Therefore, all patients consumed 64 grams/day of walnuts for six weeks during part of the trial as part of a low-fat, low cholesterol diet. Serum lipids demonstrated a significant reduction in triacyglycerols and favorable trend with decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and a slight increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. No statistical effects on homocysteine or the coagulation factors were observed. However, there was a slight favorable trend for tPA and PAI-1. This study demonstrated that walnuts, when consumed as part of a low fat, low-cholesterol diet, have a beneficial effect on serum cardiovascular risk factors. However, these changes may not explain all of the beneficial effects that walnut consumption has on cardiovascular disease.