Nutrition status and serum uric acid levels in adult men and its relation to atherosclerosis

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid [SUA] concentration and atherosclerosis. Forty five adult men aged 40-60 years were volunteers from three different institutions in Cairo. They were divided into 3 equal groups: one group being clinically healthy and normal serum uric acid was taken as control. The second group suffered from hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia. The third group sufferred from hyperuricemia only. All groups were subjected to socioeconomic data collection, dietary and anthropometric [weights and heights] assessment, chemical analysis included serum levels of uric acid, lipid profile and platelets count. The results showed that all groups had their requirements from total calories and total proteins but low in carbohydrates. Group II had high fat and purine intake. It also showed positive correlation between serum uric acid and each of protein, fat and purine intake and the highest atherogenic index. Also there was positive correlation between serum uric acid and blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and negative correlation with blood platelets. Hence, it is recommended to have balanced diet with reasonable amount of foods rich in purine as prophylactic measure against atherosclerosis

Hypoglycemic effect of fenugreek seeds in type 2 diabetes mellitus: clinical study

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fenugreek seed diet supplementation on blood glucose and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. These effects were attributed to active biological substances in the seeds that include saponins, alkaloids, amino acids, galactomannan, nicotinic acid, vitamins and minerals. Diabetic subjects were divided into 5 groups, 20 patients each. The control group received only a regular diabetic diet and the other groups followed the same diet in addition to fenugreek supplement that varied according to the group. Four processed types of seeds were implemented in the study involving the oral intake of boiled fenugreek [BF], fenugreek seed powder [PF], germinated fenugreek [GF] and defatted fenugreek [DF]. The results demonstrated the usefulness of fenugreek seeds as a dietary supplement of therapeutic and nutritive value in the management of type 2 diabetes