OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 3-month kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) 
juice supplementation on coronary artery disease risk factors among 
hypercholesterolemic men.
METHODS: Thirty-two men with hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dL) were recruited 
after annual health examinations among the faculty and staff at university. The 
subjects consumed 150 mL of kale juice per day for a 12-week intervention 
period. Dietary and anthropometric assessments were performed and blood samples 
were collected to evaluate biochemical profiles before and after 
supplementation.
RESULTS: Serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol, and HDL- to LDL-cholesterol 
ratio were significantly increased by 27% (P<0.0001) and 52% (P<0.0001), 
respectively. The LDL-cholesterol concentration and the atherogenic index were 
significantly reduced by 10% (P=0.0007) and 24.2% (P<0.0001), respectively 
without affecting body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, or nutrient 
intakes after three months of supplementation. While there was no difference in 
the concentration of malondialdehyde, significant increase in glutathione 
peroxidase activity (P=0.0005) were accompanied by a significant increase in the 
serum selenium level (P=0.0132). It was also found that the responses of these 
risk factors to kale juice administration were dependent on smoking status.
CONCLUSION: Regular meals supplementation with kale juice can favorably 
influence serum lipid profiles and antioxidant systems, and hence contribute to 
reduce the risks of coronary artery disease in male subjects with 
hyperlipidemia.