Walnut Consumption, Endothelial Function, and Biomarkers

Walnut Consumption, Endothelial Function, and Plasma Adipokines in Subjects With Diabetes or Coronary Disease: a Pilot Trial

This study will examine whether a twelve-week intervention with one ounce (28 g) per day of walnuts improves endothelial function measured non-invasively using finger probe (EndoPat-2000) in people with coronary heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 30+ years
• Prevalent coronary artery disease
• Prevalent type 2 diabetes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current eating disorder
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Allergy to walnuts or other nuts
• Inability to provide informed consent or blood samples
• History or prevalent diagnosis of cancer, asthma, kidney insufficiency, stroke, seizures, allergic disorders, or congestive heart failure
• Diagnosis of coronary heart disease or diabetes < 1 year prior to enrollment
• Intention to move out of greater Boston area within one year
• Current use of walnuts for more than 2 ounces per day
• Bleeding disorder
• Treatment with blood thinning drugs (i.e. warfarin, clopidogrel)
• Major surgical operation 3 months before or after screening
• Organ transplantation
• Current participation in another trial or plan to do so during the study
• Use of vasodilators such as nitroglycerin
• Inability to give informed consent
• Inability to travel to the study center at Brigham and Women's Hospital