Intake of partially defatted Brazil nut flour reduces serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients- a randomized controlled trial

[helvella]

I'm still thinking about this one. Very interesting. Anyone seen defatted Brazil nut flour for sale? (I guess I should look on Amazon… I'll get my coat. )

Nutr J. 2015 Jun 16;14(1):59. [Epub ahead of print]

Intake of partially defatted Brazil nut flour reduces serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients- a randomized controlled trial.

Carvalho RF1, Huguenin GV2, Luiz RR3, Moreira AS4, Oliveira GM5, Rosa G6,7.

Author information

• 1Post GraduateProgram, Federal Universityof Rio de Janeiro, Professor Rodolpho Paulo Rocco St, 225, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

• 2Post GraduateProgram, Federal Universityof Rio de Janeiro, Professor Rodolpho Paulo Rocco St, 225, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

• 3InstituteofPublic Health Studies, Federal Universityof Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Machado Moreira Square, 100, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

• 4ClinicofAtherosclerosisand Cardiovascular DiseasePrevention, NationalCardiologyInstitute, Laranjeiras St, 374, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

• 5Post GraduateProgram, Federal Universityof Rio de Janeiro, Professor Rodolpho Paulo Rocco St, 225, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

• 6Post GraduateProgram, Federal Universityof Rio de Janeiro, Professor Rodolpho Paulo Rocco St, 225, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

• 7NutritionandDieteticDepartment, Josué de Castro InstituteofNutrition, Federal Universityof Rio de Janeiro, 373, 2nd floor, block J, Carlos Chagas FilhoAv, Ilha do Governador, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [e-mail].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Thyroid hormones can lower levels of atherogenic lipoproteins, and selenium is important in thyroid hormone homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the effects of a healthy diet associated with the Brazil nut (Bertholletiaexcelsa) in dyslipidemic and hypertensive patients.

METHODS:

This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Seventy-seven dyslipidemic and hypertensive patients already receiving lipid-lowering drugs received either a dietary treatment associated with partially defatted Brazil nut flour (13 g/day providing 227,5 μg of selenium/day),or with dyed cassava flour as a placebo. All patients received a personalized dietary guideline with nutritional recommendations for dyslipidemia and hypertension and were followed for 90 days.

RESULTS:

The Brazil nut group showed reductions in total cholesterol (-20.5 ± 61.2 mg/dL, P = 0.02), non HDL-cholesterol (-19.5 ± 61.2 mg/dL, P = 0.02) and Apo A-1 (-10.2 ± 26.7 mg/dL, P = 0.03) without significant alterations in the Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio. The placebo group showed a reduction in FT3 levels (-0.1 ± 0.4, P = 0.03) and increased Lp(a) levels (5.9 ± 18.0 mg/dL, P = 0.02). There were no statistical differences inblood pressure and serum lipids between Brazil nut and placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the reduction in energy intake, the consumption of Brazil nut did not affect FT3 levels, yet contributed to a reduction in serum cholesterol in euthyroid, hypercholesterolemic patients during the intervention period.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01990391.

PMID: 26077768 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/260...

[Spareribs]

guess they'll know their nuts in Brazil...

I've only seen Almond flour but then again I don't get out much...

[marram]

Sounds very interesting, but just one question. If, As I thought, it has been established that high cholesterol is not actually a risk factor for heart disease, but the risk factor is inflammation, why do they still keep talking about reducing cholesterol?

I noticed on the website 'the Cholesterol Truth' that while on one page they say we do not need to worry about high cholesterol, in fact high cholesterol can be advantageous, on another page they seem to be pushing 'natural' ways to reduce cholesterol. Why?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to marram]

The changes in perception about cholesterol will takes many years to filter through. Maybe those with very high cholesterol do need some reduction?

[marram in reply to helvella]

True. It hasn't taken me long, because I never actually bought it in the first place!

[greygoose in reply to marram]

Same here! But if brazil nuts reduce cholesterol, that's me finished with brazil nuts forever!!! I'm trying to raise mine, not reduce it!

[TSH110]

Found some but it looks like it is not defatted

nutricargo.com/brazilian-nu...

Looks like you need a MARCON MPH- 15 hydraulic press with a capacity of 15 tons of pressure:

scielo.br/pdf/cta/v30s1/40.pdf

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to TSH110]

Very good.

Not at all clear that the defatting is of any relevance - but quite possibly simply serves to ensure the product does not go rancid.

I'll look on eBay or Alibaba for a suitable hydraulic press.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

If you defat a brazil nut, there won't be very much left! lol What would you do with it, anyway? I'm still trying to fine a use for coconut flour...

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

OK, here's 10 yummy recipes for you!

yummly.com/recipes/brazil-n...

Get your pinny on, Rod!

[Chancery]

Very interesting, but is the defatted part important? Significant in ANY way, or are they just doing the 'eek, fat is evil!' dance? I think we should be told....

P.S. I think you could be right, Rod. They do go rancid very easily. Maybe taking the fat out "partially", helps to store the flour. Wonder what you can use it for? Were all the patients in the trial eating brazil nut flour muffins?