Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of 12-wk ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on in vivo thalamus glutathione concentration in patients "at risk" for major depression.
As life expectancy increases, the need to prevent major health disorders is clear. Depressive symptoms are common in older adults and are associated with cognitive decline and greater risk for transitioning to major depression. Oxidative stress may be implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression and can be measured in vivo using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy via the neurometabolite glutathione (GSH). Evidence suggests ω-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation may prevent depression and directly affect GSH concentration. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ω-3 FA supplementation on in vivo GSH concentration in older adults at risk for depression. ⋯ Depressive symptom severity in older adults appears to be associated with increased brain levels of GSH, a key marker of oxidative stress. Importantly, ω-3 FA supplementation may attenuate oxidative stress mechanisms, thereby offering benefits for depression prevention.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of onion peel extract on endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells in overweight and obese individuals.
Acute or chronic intake of polyphenol-rich foods has been reported to improve endothelial function. Quercetin, found abundantly in onion, is a potent antioxidant flavonoid. The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of onion peel extract (OPE) improves endothelial function in healthy overweight and obese individuals. ⋯ Medium-term administration of OPE an improvement in FMD and circulating EPCs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Protective effects of dietary supplementation with natural ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the visual acuity of school-age children with lower IQ or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Little attention has been paid to the possible protective role of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the visual acuity of school-age children with lower IQs or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary ω-3 PUFAs on the visual acuity and red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid compositions of these children. ⋯ Dietary supplementation with ω-3 PUFAs improves both visual acuity and the RBC fatty acid profile in school-age children with lower IQs or ADHD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Supplementation of α-linolenic acid improves serum adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.
ω-3 Polyunsaturated α-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation has not been studied in the setting of adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity (IS) improvements in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HEC). The aim of this study was to examine the influence of ω-3 ALA on IS and adiponectin. ⋯ ω-3 ALA supplementation improved glucose homeostasis and was associated with an increase in adiponectin. Improvement in the overall metabolic profile with ω-3 ALA suggests a potential clinical utility for this agent and requires further investigation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Oral supplementation with L-glutamine alters gut microbiota of obese and overweight adults: A pilot study.
The aim of this study was to determine whether oral supplementation with L-glutamine (GLN) modifies the gut microbiota composition in overweight and obese adults. ⋯ Oral supplementation with GLN, for a short time, altered the composition of the gut microbiota in overweight and obese humans reducing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, which resembled weight loss programs already seen in the literature.