ABSTRACT
Regular moderate intensity physical activity and lipid lowering effects of Nigella sativa [N. sativa] supplementation may be appropriate management for sedentary overweight females. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of long-term N. sativasupplementation and aerobic training on lipid profile and maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max] in sedentary overweight females. In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, which was conducted in Kerman city [Iran], 20 sedentary overweight females were divided into two groups and assigned to N. sativasupplementation [N. sativacapsules] or a placebo for the 8 weeks, both groups participated in an aerobic training program [3 times/week]. Each N. sativacapsule contained 500 +/- 10 mg N. sativacrushed seeds and subjects had to take 2 g N. sativaperday for 8 weeks. Blood lipids and VO2 max were determined at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks. N. sativasupplementation lowered total cholesterol [TC] [P< 0.01], triglyceride [P< 0.001], low-density lipoprotein [LDL] [P< 0.001] and body mass index [P< 0.01] and increased high density lipoprotein [HDL] and VO2 max [P< 0.01]. Aerobic training program lowered TC [P< 0.001] and LDL [P< 0.01] and increased VO2 max [P< 0.01]. Furthermore, we observed a significant effect of aerobic training program and N. sativasupplementation lowered LDL and HDL [P< 0.05]. The present study demonstrates that 8-week aerobic training plus N. sativasupplementation have a synergistic effect in improve profile lipid parameters