Walnuts, as a rich source of the omega-‐3 PUFA alpha linolenic acid (ALA), have cardioprotective effects mediated in part by a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines.
Walnut and walnut oil are rich in several phytonutrients including the omega-‐3 fatty acid ALA and improve several indices of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in vitro and in vivo. An ALA Diet decreased HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI, decreased CVD risk by inhibiting vascular inflammation and endothelial activation, exerted lipid-‐lowering effects and decreased the risk of atherosclerosis via increasing reverse cholesterol transport. [PMID 15514264, 16169525, 17227589, 17284733, 21291825, 21050070]
