Effects of walnut consumption on endothelial function in type 2 diabetic subjects: a randomized controlled crossover trial
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of daily walnut consumption on endothelial function; cardiovascular biomarkers; and anthropometric measures in type 2 diabetic individuals. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a randomized; controlled; single-blind; crossover trial. Twenty-four participants with type 2 diabetes (mean age 58 years; 14 women and 10 men) were randomly assigned to one […]
[Hormonal and inflammatory impact of different dietetic composition: emphasis on dietary patterns and specific dietary factors] [Article in Portuguese]
Healthy dietary pattern; characterized by the consumption of fruits; vegetables; white meats; skim dairy products; nuts and moderate intake of vegetable oils and alcohol; is an important factor for a lower risk of chronic disease such as obesity; metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This beneficial effect can be explained; at least partially; by its modulating […]
A saturated fatty acid-rich diet induces an obesity-linked proinflammatory gene expression profile in adipose tissue of subjects at risk of metabolic syndrome
BACKGROUND: Changes in dietary fat composition could lower the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue is an interesting tissue in this respect because of its role in lipid metabolism and inflammation. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate the effect of a saturated fatty acid (SFA)- and a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich diet on insulin […]
Cardioprotective roles of aged garlic extract; grape seed proanthocyanidin; and hazelnut on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
Doxorubicin (DXR) is a chemotherapeutic agent used effectively in the treatment of several childhood malignancies. During treatment; cardiotoxicity caused by cell damage due to the free oxygen radicals that are generated is a major limiting factor. This study was undertaken to determine whether DXR-induced cardiotoxicity could be prevented by natural foods with antioxidant properties such […]
Effect of almond-enriched high-monounsaturated fat diet on selected markers of inflammation: a randomised; controlled; crossover study
Frequent consumption of nuts lowers the risk of CHD. While lowering blood lipids is one of the mechanisms for cardioprotection; the present study sought to determine whether monounsaturated fat-rich almonds also influence other CHD risk factors such as inflammation and haemostasis. This was a randomised; controlled; crossover feeding study with twenty-five healthy adults (eleven men; […]
Effects of a Mediterranean-style diet on the need for antihyperglycemic drug therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial
BACKGROUND: Low-carbohydrate and low-fat calorie-restricted diets are recommended for weight loss in overweight and obese people with type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean-style or a low-fat diet on the need for antihyperglycemic drug therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Single-center; randomized trial. Randomization was computer-generated […]
Serum sterol responses to increasing plant sterol intake from natural foods in the Mediterranean diet
BACKGROUND: Phytosterols in natural foods are thought to inhibit cholesterol absorption. The Mediterranean diet is rich in phytosterol-containing plant foods. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess whether increasing phytosterol intake from natural foods was associated with a cholesterol-lowering effect in a substudy of a randomized trial of nutritional intervention with Mediterranean diets for primary cardiovascular […]
Consumption of pistachio nuts beneficially affected blood lipids and total antioxidant activity in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet
Although nuts are typically high in dietary fat; novel studies have shown that regular consumption of these heart-healthy foods might confer a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease risk. In the present study; we aimed to analyse the effects of pistachio consumption on blood lipids; antioxidant activity; oxidative stress and sialic acid levels in high-fat-fed rats […]
Effects of plant-based diets on plasma lipids
Dyslipidemia is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease; peripheral vascular disease; and stroke. Current guidelines recommend diet as first-line therapy for patients with elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations. However; what constitutes an optimal dietary regimen remains a matter of controversy. Large prospective trials have demonstrated that populations following plant-based diets; particularly vegetarian and vegan diets; […]
Effect of Mediterranean diet on the expression of pro-atherogenic genes in a population at high cardiovascular risk
Experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on the incidence and progression of atherosclerosis. Several genes play a major role in determining atherosclerosis susceptibility. We compared the short-term effects of two TMD diets versus a control diet on the expression of pro-atherogenic genes. One TMD diet was […]