Plant monoterpenes do not raise plasma high-density-lipoprotein concentrations in humans

Low plasma concentrations of HDLs are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Two uncontrolled studies suggested that plant monoterpenes may have substantial HDL-cholesterol-elevating activity in humans. Each study used a proprietary mixture of 6 monoterpenes in olive oil. The present study was undertaken to test more rigorously the hypothesis that monoterpenes raise HDL concentrations in men with hypoalphalipoproteinemia. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was used. Twenty-four men aged 58-68 y (x: 62.3 y) with plasma HDL cholesterol