Effect of a Moderate Fat Diet With and Without Avocados on Lipoprotein Particle Number, Size and Subclasses in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial | Journal Scan

Jan 16, 2015
Font Size
A
A
A
Authors:
Wang L, Bordi PL, Fleming JA, Hill AM, Kris‐Etherton PM.
Citation:
J Am Heart Assoc 2015;Jan 7:[Epub ahead of print].
Summary By:
Elizabeth A. Jackson, MD, FACC

Study Questions:

Does a diet with avocados (replacing saturated fatty acids) lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol?

Methods:

This was a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial conducted in overweight or obese participants, who also had baseline LDL cholesterol levels in the 25th to 90th percentile. Three diets each with saturated fatty acids between 6% and 7% were provided (each for 5 weeks). The diets were a lower-fat diet (24% fat); and two moderate-fat diets (34% fat) provided similar foods and were matched for macronutrients and fatty acids: the avocado diet included one fresh Hass avocado (136 g) per day, and the moderate-fat diet mainly used high oleic acid oils to match the fatty acid content of one avocado. Primary outcomes were change in LDL cholesterol and non–high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Results:

A total of 45 participants were included in this trial. Compared to baseline, reduction in LDL cholesterol was observed for the moderate-fat Avocado diet, which was greater than observed in the moderate-fat diet without avocados (-13.5 mg/dl vs. -8.3 mg/dl) or the low-fat diet (-7.4 mg/dl). A similar result was observed for non–HDL-cholesterol. The moderate-fat diet with avocados also decreased LDL particle number, the number of small dense LDL cholesterol, and the ration of LDL to HDL compared to baseline (p < 0.0001), whereas the other diets did not.

Conclusions:

The investigators concluded that inclusion of one avocado per day as part of a moderate-fat, cholesterol-lowering diet has additional LDL cholesterol, LDL particle number, and non–HDL cholesterol lowering effects, especially for small dense LDL particles.

Perspective:

These data suggest the benefits of avocados in the diet, particularly for those who are overweight or obese. Further studies in larger groups are needed prior to a strong recommendation for this dietary intervention.

Keywords: Cholesterol, Cholesterol, LDL, Cholesterol, HDL, Diet, Food Habits, Lipoproteins, HDL, Lipoproteins, LDL, Overweight, Obesity, Oils


< Back to Listings