Objetivo: Disminuir el colesterol total y el LDL colesterol mediante el consumo de frutos secos (maní, nuez y almendras) con propiedades antioxidantes para reducir el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Método: El presente trabajo es cuantitativo transversal, cuasi-experimental. Se tomó una muestra de 45 participantes del Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA), ambos sexos, entre 18 y 65 años de edad, con hipercolesterolemia total mayor a 200 mg/dL y LDL-colesterol mayor a 100 mg/dl uno o ambos alterados. Sin plan nutricional establecido, sin antecedentes de alcohol, tabaco, alergias a frutos secos, hipotiroidismo, manteniendo actividad física usual y no consumo de estatinas. Los frutos secos fueron maní, nueces y almendras, distribuidos en tres grupos, cada participante consumió 40 gramos diarios de un tipo de fruto seco por seis semanas. Se realizó un pre y post test de examen bioquímico de lípidos intravenoso. Instrumentos utilizados: cuestionario para recolección de datos y pesa de alimentos. Estudio realizado con una confianza estadística estimada (95 %). Resultado: Todos los participantes presentan niveles altos de ambos tipos de colesterol, uno u otro.En promedio estadístico el colesterol total disminuyó 12,7 mg/dl y el LDL colesterol disminuyó 10.8mg/dl. El colesterol total promedio estadístico disminuye 11,7 mg/dl consumiendo maní, 7,7 mg/dl, consumiendo almendras y 19.4 mg/dl consumiendo nueces. En cuanto a las disminuciones del LDLcolesterol se obtienen 6.5 mg/dl consumiendo maní, 7,5 mg/dl consumiendo almendras y 18,5 mg/dl consumiendo nueces. Discusión: El consumo de los frutos secos está asociado con la disminución del colesterol total y LDL colesterol, por sus propiedades antioxidantes, que tienen un efecto protector contra enfermedades cardiovasculares.

Objective: To reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol through consumption of nuts (peanuts, walnuts and almonds) with antioxidant properties to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: A cross quantitative, quasi-experimental method was used. A sample of 45 participants of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) was taken, including both sexes, between 18 and 65 years of age, with total cholesterol higher than 200 mg/ dL and LDL-cholesterol greater than 100 mg/dl; one or both altered. For the subjects no prior nutrition plan had been established, they had no history of alcohol, snuff, nut allergies, hypothyroidism, and they did have regular physical activity and no statin use. The nuts consumed were peanuts, walnuts and almonds, divided into three groups, each participant consumed 40 grams of a type of nut for six weeks. We conducted a prior and afterthe-study test of intravenous lipid biochemistry. Survey instruments used were questionnaires for data collection and food were weighed directly. The study was conducted with a statistical confidence estimate of 95 %. Results: All participants have high levels of either of both types of cholesterol. In statistical average total cholesterol and LDL decreased 12,7mg/dl and 10,8mg/dl, respectively. The statistical average for total cholesterol decreased 11,7 mg/dl, 7,7 mg/dl, and 19.4 mg/dl by consuming peanut, almonds and walnuts, respectively. LDLcholesterol decreased 6,5 mg/dl, 7,5 mg/dl 18,5 mg/dl consuming peanut, almonds and walnuts, respectively. Discussion: The consumption of nuts is associated with a decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol due to its antioxidant properties, which have protective effect in cardiovascular disease.