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Lipids and cardiovascular/metabolic health

The relationship between nut consumption and lipid profile among the Iranian adult population; Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 385–389 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objective:

The study was carried out to assess the relationship between nut consumption and lipid profile among Iranian adults.

Subject/methods:

The study was based on data from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program across three counties in central Iran in 2007. A cross-sectional survey of 9660 randomly selected adults aged ⩾19 years were chosen based on sex, age and settlement distributions in each community. Nutritional behaviors were assessed by validated qualitative 48-item food frequency questionnaires, which covered regular intakes of four types of nuts: walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression tests were utilized to determine odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval of hyperlipidemia according to nut consumption patterns in unadjusted and three-adjusted models.

Results:

The results showed a significant link between high nut consumption and lower total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and apo B/apo A ratio (P<0.05) in female subjects and lower TG, LDL-C and apoB/apoA ratio in male subjects (P<0.05). The frequency of nut consumption was inversely associated with dyslipidemia, especially for those who had consumed nuts ⩾4 times weekly (0.67 (0.57-0.79)). After adjusting for sex, age and other potential confounders, ORs increased enormously. Except for low apo A and high LDL-C, more frequent nut consumption (4⩽ times per week) had a significant inverse effect on other dyslipidemia risk factors in all four models.

Conclusions:

We concluded that frequent consumption of nuts, particularly ⩾4 times a week, may result in lower dyslipidemia occurrences and may exert cardioprotective effects.

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Acknowledgements

This program was conducted by the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center (ICRC) (a WHO-collaborating center) in collaboration with Isfahan Provincial Health Office. Both are affiliated with the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The program was supported by a grant (no. 31309304) from the Iranian Budget and Planning Organization, as well as the Deputy for Health of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the Iranian Heart Foundation. We are thankful to the large team of ICRC and Isfahan Provincial Health Office as well as collaborators from Najaf-Abad Health Office and Arak University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition Faculty, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    G Askari

  2. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    N Yazdekhasti, N Mohammadifard, N Sarrafzadegan, A Bahonar, F Sajjadi & M Taheri

  3. Drug and Food Deputy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    M Badiei

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Correspondence to N Mohammadifard.

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Askari, G., Yazdekhasti, N., Mohammadifard, N. et al. The relationship between nut consumption and lipid profile among the Iranian adult population; Isfahan Healthy Heart Program. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 385–389 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.21

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