Antioxidant Activity of Hazelnut Skin Phenolics
Phenolic compounds were extracted from hazelnut skin using 80% (v/v) aqueous acetone or methanol. The crude extracts were applied onto a Sephadex LH-20 column for two fractionations (Fr. I and Fr. II). Fr. I consisting of low-molecular-weight phenolics was eluted by ethanol; whereas Fr. II consisting of tannins was obtained using acetone/water (1:1; v/v) as […]
Functional foods for health: Focus on diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest growing public health problems worldwide. Menopause may present additional challenges for women who have diabetes by increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and making blood glucose control more difficult. Functional foods may have the potential to improve glycemic control; but little evidence is known about the […]
Dietary n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: From biochemistry to clinical implications in cardiovascular prevention
Linoleic acid (LA) and alpha linolenic acid (ALA) belong to the n-6 (omega-6) and n-3 (omega-3) series of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); respectively. They are defined "essential" fatty acids since they are not synthesized in the human body and are mostly obtained from the diet. Food sources of ALA and LA are most vegetable oils; […]
Nuts and novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease
Nuts are energy-dense foods; rich in total fat and unsaturated fatty acids. The favorable fatty acid profile probably contributes to the beneficial effects of nut consumption observed in epidemiologic studies (prevention of coronary heart disease and diabetes) and feeding trials (cholesterol lowering). Besides fat; the complex matrices of nuts contain many bioactive compounds: vegetable protein; […]
Walnuts and fatty fish influence different serum lipid fractions in normal to mildly hyperlipidemic individuals: a randomized controlled study
BACKGROUND: Increased consumption of n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids decreases the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether walnuts (plant n-3 fatty acid) and fatty fish (marine n-3 fatty acid) have similar effects on serum lipid markers at intakes recommended for primary prevention of CHD. DESIGN: In a randomized crossover […]
Long-term effects of increased dietary polyunsaturated fat from walnuts on metabolic parameters in type II diabetes
Background/Objectives:Most dietary interventions have metabolic effects in the short term; but long-term effects may require dietary fat changes to influence body composition and insulin action. This study assessed the effect of sustained high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake through walnut consumption on metabolic outcomes in type II diabetes.Subjects/Methods:Fifty overweight adults with non-insulin-treated diabetes (mean age […]
Dietary omega-3 fatty acids; cyclooxygenase-2 genetic variation; and aggressive prostate cancer risk
PURPOSE: Dietary intake of long-chain omega-3 (LC n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids may reduce inflammation and in turn decrease risk of prostate cancer development and progression. This potential effect may be modified by genetic variation in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2); a key enzyme in fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used a case-control study of 466 […]
A systematic review of the evidence supporting a causal link between dietary factors and coronary heart disease
BACKGROUND: Although a wealth of literature links dietary factors and coronary heart disease (CHD); the strength of the evidence supporting valid associations has not been evaluated systematically in a single investigation. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE for prospective cohort studies or randomized trials investigating dietary exposures in relation to CHD. We used […]
Prospective study of nut consumption; long-term weight change; and obesity risk in women
BACKGROUND: Data concerning the long-term association between nut consumption and weight change in a free-living population are sparse. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the relation between nut consumption and long-term weight change. DESIGN: The participants were 51;188 women in the Nurses' Health Study II aged 20-45 y; who had no cardiovascular disease; diabetes; or […]
Almonds have a neutral effect on serum lipid profiles: a meta-analysis of randomized trials
Almond consumption may be associated with improvements in serum lipid profiles. The aim was to evaluate the influence of almonds on lipid parameters to help define the role of almonds as a lipid modulator. MEDLINE; EMBASE; Cochrane CENTRAL; and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database were searched through July 2008; with no language restrictions; for randomized […]