Sesame supplementation does not improve cardiovascular disease risk markers in overweight men and women. Effect of Sesame Oil on Diuretics or ß-blockers in the Modulation of Blood Pressure, Anthropometry, Lipid Profile, and Redox Status Effect of sesame seed on lipid profile and redox status in hyperlipidemic patients Sesame ingestion affects sex hormones, antioxidant status, and blood lipids in postmenopausal women. A pilot study of open label sesame oil in hypertensive diabetics. Regular consumption of cocoa powder with milk increases HDL cholesterol and reduces oxidized LDL levels in subjects at high-risk of cardiovascular disease. Ardeh (Sesamum indicum) could improve serum triglycerides and atherogenic lipid parameters in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized clinical trial. Almonds and almond oil have similar effects on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women. Effects of Two Energy-Restricted Diets Containing Different Fruit Amounts on Body Weight Loss and Macronutrient Oxidation Effects of kiwi fruit consumption on platelet aggregation and plasma lipids in healthy human volunteers
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pre- clinical studies suggest that sesame and its lignans induce beneficial changes in risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and increase the bioavailability of mammalian lignans . However , only very few intervention trials have investigated the potential bioactivities of sesame in humans . We aim ed to investigate the effects of sesame supplementation in humans on blood lipids , blood pressure , systemic oxidative stress , inflammatory biomarkers and mammalian lignan metabolism . METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a r and omized , placebo-controlled cross-over intervention trial at a university research centre . Overweight or obese men and women ( n=33 ) consumed 25g/d of sesame ( approximately 50mg/d of sesame lignan ) and an iso-caloric placebo matched for macronutrient composition for 5 wks each . Each intervention period was preceded by a 4-wk washout period . Blood lipid profiles , day time ambulatory blood pressure , oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers and urinary mammalian lignans were measured before and after each intervention . Results are presented as the effect of sesame supplementation relative to placebo .  Urinary excretion of the mammalian lignans , enterolactone and enterodiol , increased by approximately 8-fold ( P<0.001 ) . Blood lipids and blood pressure were not altered . In addition , markers of systemic inflammation ( C-reactive protein , interleukin-6 , tumor necrosis factor-alpha ) and lipid peroxidation ( F(2)-isoprostanes ) were not affected . CONCLUSION Supplementation with 25g/d of sesame can significantly increase the exposure to mammalian lignans . However , this did not cause any improvement in markers of cardiovascular disease risk in overweight or obese men and women The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sesame oil in hypertensive patients who were on antihypertensive therapy either with diuretics ( hydrochlorothiazide ) or ß-blockers ( atenolol ) . Thirty-two male and 18 female patients aged 35 to 60 years old were supplied sesame oil ( Idhayam gingelly oil ) and instructed to use it as the only edible oil for 45 days . Blood pressure , anthropometry , lipid profile , lipid peroxidation , and enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were measured at baseline and after 45 days of sesame oil substitution . Substitution of sesame oil brought down systolic and diastolic blood pressure to normal . The same patients were asked to withdraw sesame oil consumption for another 45 days , and the measurements were repeated at the end of withdrawal period . Withdrawal of sesame oil substitution brought back the initial blood pressure values . A significant reduction was noted in body weight and body mass index ( BMI ) upon sesame oil substitution . No significant alterations were observed in lipid profile except triglycerides . Plasma levels of sodium reduced while potassium elevated upon the substitution of sesame oil .  Lipid peroxidation ( thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [ TBARS ] ) decreased while the activities of superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) , catalase ( CAT ) , and the levels of vitamin C , vitamin E , ß-carotene , and reduced glutathione ( GSH ) were increased . The results suggested that sesame oil as edible oil lowered blood pressure , decreased lipid peroxidation , and increased antioxidant status in hypertensive patients Pre- clinical studies suggest that sesame and its lignans induce beneficial changes in risk factors related to cardiovascular disease . This study was design ed to investigate the effects of sesame on reducing serum lipids and enhancing antioxidant capacity in 38 hyperlipidemic patients who were divided into two groups r and omly . For all individuals along the 60 days of study period , the same drug treatments were considered . Intervention group patients were supposed to eat 40 g white sesame seeds daily , and instead of these calories , 240 kcal was removed from their diet . Anthropometric measurements including height , weight and body mass index ( BMI ) were measured . We assessed lipid profile and oxidative stress indicators such as glutathione peroxidase ( GPX ) , superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) before and after the intervention . Significant differences among and between the groups were determined by independent t-test and paired sample t-test using 13th version of statistical package for the social sciences . The results showed that the diet with sesame significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol ( TC ) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) and TC/HDL-C ratio . Lipid peroxidation ( TBARS ) decreased while the activities of GPX and SOD were increased . There were no significant changes in anthropometric indexes such as weight and BMI after consumption of sesame . The results suggested that sesame seed supplementation decreased serum TC , LDL-C and lipid peroxidation , and increased antioxidant status in hyperlipidemic patients Sesame ingestion has been shown to improve blood lipids in humans and antioxidative ability in animals . Sesamin , a sesame lignan , was recently reported to be converted by intestinal microflora to enterolactone , a compound with estrogenic activity and also an enterometabolite of flaxseed lignans , which are known to be phytoestrogens . Whether sesame can be a source of phytoestrogens is unknown . This study was design ed to investigate the effect of sesame ingestion on blood sex hormones , lipids , tocopherol , and ex vivo LDL oxidation in postmenopausal women . Twenty-six healthy subjects attended , and 24 completed , this r and omized , placebo-controlled , crossover study . Half of them consumed 50 g sesame seed powder daily for 5 wk , followed by a 3-wk washout period , then a 5-wk 50-g rice powder placebo period . The other half received the 2 supplements in reverse order . After sesame treatment , plasma total cholesterol ( TC ) , LDL-C , the ratio of LDL-C to HDL-C , thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in oxidized LDL , and serum dehydroepi and rosterone sulfate decreased significantly by 5 , 10 , 6 , 23 , and 18 % , respectively . The ratio of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol to TC increased significantly by 18 and 73 % , respectively . All of these variables differed significantly between the 2 treatments . Serum sex hormone-binding globulin and urinary 2-hydroxyestrone ( n = 8) increased significantly by 15 and 72 % , respectively , after sesame treatment , and these concentrations tended to differ ( P = 0.065 and P = 0.090 , respectively ) from those after the placebo treatment . These results suggest that sesame ingestion benefits postmenopausal women by improving blood lipids , antioxidant status , and possibly sex hormone status The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sesame oil in hypertensive diabetics medicated with atenolol ( beta-blocker ) and glibenclamide ( sulfonylurea ) .  This open label trial with two intervention periods comprised 22 male and 18 female patients , 45 - 65 years old , with mild to moderate hypertension and diabetes .  Sesame oil ( Idhayam Gingelly oil , V.V.V. & Sons , Virudhunagar , Tamilnadu , India ) was supplied to the patients , who were instructed to use it in place of other cooking oils for 45 days . Blood pressure ( BP ) , anthropometric measurements , plasma glucose , glycated hemoglobin ( HbA1c ) , lipid profiles [ total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and triglycerides ( TG ) ] , lipid peroxidation [ thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances ( TBARS ) ] , electrolytes ( sodium , potassium , and chloride ) , and enzymic ( superoxide dismutase , glutathione peroxidase , and catalase ) and nonenzymic ( vitamin C , vitamin E , beta-carotene , and reduced glutathione ) antioxidants were measured at baseline and after 45 days of sesame oil substitution . The same patients were then switched over to other oils like palm or groundnut oils as their regular oils at r and om for another 45 days , and the investigations were carried out again at the end . Systolic and diastolic BP decreased remarkably . When oil substitution was withdrawn , BP values rose again . Body weight , body mass index , girth of waist , girth of hip , and waist : hip ratio were reduced upon substitution of sesame oil .  Plasma glucose , HbA1c , TC , LDL-C , and TG were decreased . TBARS level was reduced , while the activities of enzymic and the levels of nonenzymic antioxidants were increased . Plasma sodium levels were reduced , while potassium levels were elevated . These results indicate that substitution of sesame oil as the sole edible oil has an additive effect in further lowering BP and plasma glucose in hypertensive diabetics BACKGROUND AND AIMS Epidemiological studies suggest that regular consumption of cocoa-containing products may confer cardiovascular protection , reducing the risk of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . However , studies on the effects of cocoa on different cardiovascular risk factors are still scarce . The aim of this study was too evaluate the effects of chronic cocoa consumption on lipid profile , oxidized low-density lipoprotein ( oxLDL ) particles and plasma antioxidant vitamin concentrations in high-risk patients . METHODS AND RESULTS Forty-two high-risk volunteers ( 19 men and 23 women , mean age 69.7 ± 11.5 years ) were included in a r and omized , crossover feeding trial . All received 40 g of cocoa powder with 500 mL of skimmed milk/day(C + M ) or only 500 mL/day of skimmed milk ( M ) for 4 weeks in a r and om order . Before and after each intervention period , plasma lipids , oxLDL and antioxidant vitamin concentrations were measured , as well as urinary cocoa polyphenols metabolites derived from phase II and microbial metabolisms . Compared to M , C + M intervention increases HDLc [ 2.67 mg/dL ( 95 % confidence intervals , CI , 0.58 - 4.73 ; P = 0.008 ) ] and decreases oxLDL levels [ -12.3 U/L ( CI,-19.3 to -5.2;P = 0.001 ) ] . No changes between intervention groups were observed in vitamins B1 , B6 , B12 , C and E , or folic acid concentrations . In addition , subjects who showed higher increments in urinary cocoa polyphenol metabolites exhibited significant increases in HDLc and significant decreases in oxLDL levels ( P < 0.05 ; all ) . CONCLUSIONS Consumption of cocoa power with milk modulates the lipid profile  in high-risk subjects for CHD . In addition , the relationship observed between the urinary excretion of cocoa polyphenol metabolites and plasma HDLc and oxLDL levels suggests a beneficial role for cocoa polyphenols in lipid metabolism BACKGROUND Data suggest that sesame seeds have properties beneficial to modulating lipid disorders and decreasing cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk factors . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ardeh , paste of ground unhulled sesame seeds , on lipid profiles and atherogenic lipid parameters . METHODS This r and omized clinical trial included 41 patients with type 2 diabetes , who were r and omly assigned to one of the two groups : group A ( Ardeh 28 g/d , n = 21 ) and group B ( control , n = 20 ) . After an initial two-week washout period , the patients in group A , replaced a part of their usual breakfast with two tablespoon ( tbsp ) ( ~ 28 g ) Ardeh , while group B patients continued the usual breakfast meal for six weeks ; energy content of both breakfast meals was maintained in the same range . Anthropometric measures , blood pressure , serum levels of total cholesterol ( TC ) , triglycerides ( TG ) , LDL-C , HDL-C , and atherogenic index of plasma ( AIP ; log TG/HDL-C ) , TC/HDL-C ratio , and LDL/HDL-C ratio were determined at baseline and six weeks later . RESULTS After six weeks , there were significant decreases in serum TG ( 15.3 mg/dL ) and AIP ( 39 % ) in group A. Moreover , slight decreases in serum TC , LDL-C , and other atherogenic lipid parameters and a mild increase in HDL-C also were observed during Ardeh supplementation . Anthropometric measures and blood pressure were unchanged during the study period in both groups . CONCLUSION Ardeh could have favorable effects in decreasing CVD risk factors in type 2 diabetics Epidemiologic and clinical studies have shown that nut consumption is associated with favorable plasma lipid profiles and reduced cardiovascular risk . These effects may result from their high monounsaturated fat ( MUFA ) content but nuts contain constituents other than fatty acids that might be cardioprotective . We conducted a study to compare the effects of whole-almond vs. almond oil consumption on plasma lipids and LDL oxidation in healthy men and women . Using a r and omized crossover trial design , 22 normolipemic men and women replaced half of their habitual fat ( approximately 14 % of approximately 29 % energy ) with either whole almonds ( WA ) or almond oil ( AO ) for 6-wk periods . Compliance was ascertained by monitoring dietary intake via biweekly 5-d food records , return of empty almond product packages and weekly meetings with a registered dietitian . Fat replacement with either WA and AO result ed in a 54 % increase in percentage of energy as MUFA with declines in both saturated fat and cholesterol intake and no significant changes in total energy , total or polyunsaturated fat intake . The effects of  WA  and  AO  on plasma lipids did not differ compared with baseline ; plasma triglyceride , total and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased , 14 , 4 and 6 % respectively , whereas HDL cholesterol increased 6 % . Neither treatment affected in vitro LDL oxidizability . We conclude that WA and AO do not differ in their beneficial effects on the plasma lipid variables measured and that this suggests that the favorable effect of almonds is mediated by components in the oil fraction of these nuts The consumption of specific foods in energy-restricted diets may affect the weight loss process . The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether obese women following two hypocaloric diets with distinct fruit content differ in weight loss and metabolic responses .  Fifteen obese women were included , who were r and omly assigned to follow a low or a high-fruit energy-restricted diet for 8 weeks . The main outcome variables were weight and fat losses . Metabolic measurements concerning macronutrient oxidation were also assessed by using 13C labelled fructose and indirect calorimetry . The induced weight loss was similar for both diets ( 6.9 ± 2 % vs. 6.6 ± 2 % , p = 0.785 ) . Both experimental diets similarly improved the lipid plasma profile in the participants , but the cholesterol fall was higher in obese subjects receiving the diet containing more fruit . No statistical differences in lipids carbohydrates and 13C labelled fructose utilisation were observed , but protein oxidation was differently affected by the experimental diets . The compensatory effects of the associated fibre/fructose intake may explain the lack of a specific effect of the fruit amount on hypocaloric diets design ed to weight loss , although the increased fibre content from enriched fruit diets may be involved in the favourable effects on cholesterol plasma levels Fruits and vegetables have been thought to be beneficial in cardiovascular disease . The beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables may be explained by the antioxidants and other components contained therein . These nutrients may function individually or in concert to protect lipoproteins and vascular cells from oxidation , or by other mechanisms such as reducing plasma lipid levels ( LDL cholesterol , triglycerides ) , and platelet aggregation response . Kiwi fruit which contains high amounts of vitamin C , vitamin E and polyphenols may be beneficial in cardiovascular disease ; however very little is known about its cardioprotective effects . Platelets are involved in atherosclerotic disease development and the reduction of platelet activity by medications reduces the incidence and severity of disease . To this end , we evaluated whether consuming kiwi fruit modulated platelet activity and plasma lipids in human volunteers in a r and omized cross-over study . We report that consuming two or three kiwi fruit per day for 28 days reduced platelet aggregation response to collagen and ADP by 18 % compared with the controls ( P<0.05 ) . In addition , consumption of kiwi fruit  lowered blood triglycerides levels by 15 % compared with control ( P<0.05 ) , whereas no such effects were observed in the case of cholesterol levels . All these data indicate that consuming kiwi fruit may be beneficial in cardiovascular disease
It was concluded that sesame consumption can significantly reduce blood TAG levels but there is insufficient evidence to support its hypocholesterolaemic effects .
Increased plasma lipid profiles are among the most important risk factors of CHD and stroke .
Sesame contains considerable amounts of vitamin E , MUFA , fibre and lignans , which are thought to be associated with its plasma lipid-lowering properties .