ABSTRACT
Background: Literature has focused that oxidative damage is a common factor in the aging process and the formation and development of major diseases. Such a finding encouraged the use of antioxidants to prevent and treat mentioned problems. Several research endeavors have done on the issue to find out any relevant relationship between antioxidant use and human being health especially in the case of preventing premature aging and many kinds of diseases. This study outlines results of representative research studies conducted worldwide to clarify the necessity of antioxidant use in health promotion of human life
Methods: For the purpose a literature review was done through defining an appropriate search strategy to identify existing evidence and key publications on the issue
Results: Study findings revealed that existing literature is not enough to prove the antioxidant usefulness for improving human health outcomes and it seems that other factors including life style should also be considered instead of focusing on isolated antioxidants as single leading factors
Conclusions: It is necessary to obtain comprehensive information from the influencing factors including disease origins, diet and different environmental, individual factors to determine possible effects on health condition or survival
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Reduction in sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Carob supplementation on sperm parameters, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indices and sex hormones in the men with idiopathic infertility
Materials and methods: This study was a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial which included 60 men with asthenospermia. The patients were assigned to intervention and placebo groups [n =30]. The intervention group received 1500 mg Carob / day [three 500 mg capsules], and the placebo group received three placebo capsules / day for 12 weeks. The parameters of sperm, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde concentration, inflammatory markers and plasma sex hormones were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software and independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean values of changes between the two groups. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant
Results: Differences in the changes in number, concentration and the percentage of motile sperms, total antioxidant capacity, concentration of MDA and plasma inflammatory markers were significant after the intervention [p<0.05]. Changes in sex hormones were not significant in the two groups [P>0.05]
Conclusion: Increased concentration and motility of the sperm and decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory factors were observed in the intervention group. Use of plants with antioxidant capacity can be one of the ways to cope with oxidative damage to sperm in this group of infertile men
ABSTRACT
This study was planned to investigate the effects of supplementation of cinnamon on fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles among type2 diabetic patients. 60 subjects with type 2 diabetes from both sexes [30 males and 30 females] were allocated to the intervention and control groups [30 individuals per group]. The doses of 1.5 g of cinnamon were equally administered orally in the form of cinnamon powder into 500 mg per capsule with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 60 days. Control group received capsules of containing placebo. Blood samples were obtained on the beginning day of the experiment and at the end of 60 days. The fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles including total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides of types 2 subjects were measured. Fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles in intervention group were significantly lower than control group [p<0.05]. The average of fasting blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, cholesterol LDL and triglyceride levels were decreased after consumption of cinnamon powder, significantly[p<0.05]. We observed no significant changes in fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles after consumption of placebo in control group. Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of cinnamon supplementation may be useful in control and decreasing of fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profiles among type 2 diabetes individuals