Anti-atherosclerotic and cardiovascular protective benefits of Brazilian nuts

Abstract

Introduction 3. Epidemiological aspects 4. Atheroprotective effect of constituents of Brazil nuts 4.1. Dietary intake of Brazil nuts and protection against atherosclerosis 4.2. Dietary fiber and atherosclerosis 4.3. The atheroprotective effect of micronutrients of Brazil nuts 4.3.1. Magnesium (Mg) 4.3.2. Selenium (Se) 4.4. Arginine and other amino acids 4.5. Fatty acids, phytosterols, and sphingolipids 4.6. Tocopherols 4.7. Polyphenols 5. Summary and perspectives 6. Acknowledgements 7. References Atheroprotective effects of Brazil nuts 39© 1996-2020 from the neighborhood states, the so-called Legal Amazon, tend to have a lower concentration of this microelement (2,3). The objective of this review is to update the relationship of dietary intake of Brazil nuts and the mechanistic role of their bioactive compounds against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTSThe two oldest studies regarding nuts, recorded in the MEDLINE, are descriptions of Trapa bispinosa and Anacardium occidentale, respectively published in 1927 and 1930 (4,5). Fraser et al. (6) developed the Adventist Health Study and reported that dietary intake of nuts (5 times per week) was associated with a 48% decrease in the risk of mortality from coronary heart disease (6). Six years later, the Nurses' Health Study found that regular intake of nuts diminished the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (7). The PREDIMED study, a Spanish cohort study covering 7,216 men and women, concluded that frequent consumption of Brazil nut (>3 servings per week) reduced overall, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality (8). In some populations, intake of Brazil nuts is frequent (9). Some studies suggested an association between dietary intake of nuts and decreased risk of other cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and possibly type 2 diabetes mellitus (10-12). ATHEROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CONSTITUENTS OF BRAZIL NUTSBrazil nuts are considered very nutritious, since they contain considerable amounts of fiber, macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols, phenolics, and flavonoids (1,13,14). Antioxidant activity Increased expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor (Nrf2) Decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) Decrease in reactive nitrogen species Decrease in lipid peroxidation Decrease in DNA peroxidation Decrease in LDL peroxidation Anti-inflammatory activity Decrease in the blood levels of IL-1, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α Decrease in vascular inflammation Antidiabetic activity Decrease in blood glucose level Decrease in pancreatic load Anti-atherosclerosis activity Decrease in formation of macrophage foam cells Decrease in atherogenesis Decrease in total amount of cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein-A in the blood Improves blood viscosity

Effects of a Brazilian cardioprotective diet and nuts on cardiometabolic parameters after myocardial infarction: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Noteworthy is the fact that in DICA-NUTS trial all nuts provided will be acquired from local farmer's cooperatives and small producers; if effective, the study may contribute also to local economic growth by stimulating the consumption of foods locally cultivated. Nut consumption has been related to reducing the severity of atherosclerosis [49][50][51] by acting on intermediary mechanisms such as improving endothelial function, lipid metabolism, and glycemic markers, protecting both DNA and LDL-c from oxidation, decreasing inflammation, altering microbiota, and controlling body weight [52][53][54]. Nuts and seeds may improve serum lipids by reducing cholesterol absorption, increasing bile acid production by stimulation of 7-hydroxylase, inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, and reducing postprandial lipidemia by their poor lipid bioaccessibility [53,55]-which is also implicated on body weight control [51].…”

Cannabidiol: therapeutic perspectives in its topical use

“…A study reported by Ferrari (2020) showed that Brazil nut ingestion increased the expression of nuclear factor E2 (Nrf2), thus increasing the antioxidant response and decreasing lipid peroxidation, besides decreasing the inflammatory response by reducing the levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hemodialysis patients. In another study revealed by the same author, the administration of ß-sitosterol in hamsters resulted in a 20% decrease in plasma cholesterol compared to the control group, in addition to a notable reduction in liver cholesterol.…”

Imaginary and representation in amazonian literature: inferno verde and the conditions for teaching regional literature

“…A Brazilian study evaluated the effects of Brazil nut supplementation (one Brazil nut per day) on total blood cholesterol (TC) and blood glucose in 130 volunteers and found that this supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of both parameters . In addition to these atheroprotective mechanisms, eating Brazil nuts has also been associated with decreased inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1, IL-6, INF γ, TNF-α) in humans (Ferrari, 2020).…”