Cross-sectional association of nut intake with adiposity in a Mediterranean population
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nut intake has been inversely related to body mass index (BMI) in prospective studies. We examined dietary determinants of adiposity in an elderly Mediterranean population with customarily high nut consumption. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 847 subjects (56% women; mean age 67 years; BMI 29.7kg/m(2)) at high cardiovascular […]
Functional Foods as Modifiers of Cardiovascular Disease
There is growing consensus that systemic inflammation is at the heart of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammation is a key feature of the immune system; functioning to defend tissue integrity and function. However; chronic stimulation of inflammatory mediators leads to lasting vascular reactivity; insulin resistance; hyperlipidemia; and; subsequently; chronic disease. Dietary practices to minimize inflammatory stimuli […]
Pistachios Increase Serum Antioxidants and Lower Serum Oxidized-LDL in Hypercholesterolemic Adults
Pistachios are high in lutein; beta-carotene; and gamma-tocopherol relative to other nuts; however; studies of the effects of pistachios on oxidative status are lacking. We conducted a randomized; crossover controlled-feeding study to evaluate 2 doses of pistachios on serum antioxidants and biomarkers of oxidative status in 28 hypercholesterolemic adults (LDL-cholesterol >/=2.86 mmol/L). Participants consumed 3 […]
Effects of one serving of mixed nuts on serum lipids; insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in patients with the metabolic syndrome
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Knowledge of the effect of nut consumption on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components is limited. We assessed the effects of nut intake on adiposity; serum lipids; insulin resistance; and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with MetS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a randomized; parallel-group; 12-week feeding trial; 50 patients with MetS were given recommendations for […]
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 […]