Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The evidence in support of the effect of vitamin D deficiency on cardiovascular diseases is inconsistent. The objective of this randomized, controlled, double-blind study was to assess the effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Eighty subjects were randomized to receive 50,000 IU vitamin D or matching placebo weekly for 16 weeks. Fasting blood sugar, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity (Quicki), serum lipid profiles (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol), anthropometric factors and blood pressure were assessed before and after intervention. Dietary intake and sun exposure were also determined. The trial was registered at http://www.irct.ir (code: IRCT201409033140N14). RESULTS: Participants were 40.49 ± 5.04 years and 49 % male. All of the intervention group and 97 % of placebo group were vitamin D deficient or insufficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D <75 nmol/L). After intervention, serum 25(OH)D concentration was increased by 61.93 nmol/L in intervention group, while it was decreased in placebo group (p < 0.001). There was a significant change in TG concentration after 4 months (p < 0.001). Other metabolic or anthropometric factors did not change significantly (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with high-dose vitamin D for 4 months improved vitamin D status and decreased TG levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome. However, it did not have any beneficial effects on other cardiometabolic risk factors; this might be due to the inadequate vitamin D status attained in this study which was conducted in a severely deficient region.

The Therapeutic Potential of Resistant Starch in Modulation of Insulin Resistance, Endotoxemia, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

AIMS: This trial aims to determine the effects of resistant starch (RS) subtype 2 (RS2) on glycemic status, metabolic endotoxemia and markers of oxidative stress. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial group of 56 females with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was divided to 2 groups. The intervention group (n = 28) and control group (n = 28) received 10 g/day RS2 or placebo for 8 weeks, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken to determine glycemic status, endotoxin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antioxidant enzymes concentrations as well as uric acid at baseline and after the intervention. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, RS2 caused a significant decrease in the levels of MDA (-34.10%), glycosylated hemoglobin (-9.40%), insulin (-29.36%), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (-32.85%) and endotoxin (-25.00%), a significant increase in TAC (18.10%) and glutathione peroxidase (11.60%) as compared with control. No significant changes were observed in fasting plasma glucose, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, hs-CRP, superoxide dismutase, catalase and uric acid in the RS2 group as compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with RS2 may be improved glycemic status, endotoxemia and markers of oxidative stress in patients with T2DM.

Eating attitudes, self-esteem and social physique anxiety among Iranian females who participate in fitness programs.

AIM: Today, women's participation in sports has substantially increased. This growth has been accompanied by concerns about health risks, as eating disorders, and psychological features, as self-esteem (SE) and social physique anxiety (SPA). The purpose of this study was to determine disordered eating attitudes and their relation to SE, SPA, as well as body weight, and body mass index (BMI), in Iranian females who participate in fitness programs. METHODS: Subjects were 250 females, aged 14-51 years, who participated in fitness programs. Eating attitude test-26 (EAT-26), Rosenberg's self esteem scale (RSES), and social physique anxiety scale (SPAS), were used. Body weight and height were measured, and then Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS: According to BMI cut-offs, 36% of subjects were overweight or obese. 28.4% and 19.6% of subjects were disordered eating attitudes (EAT-26>or=20) and low self-esteem (RSES<15), respectively. Disordered eating attitude subjects had lower SE and higher SPA, body weight and BMI than normal subjects (P<0.05). The low SE group had higher SPAS than normal one (P<0.02). In bivariate analysis, EAT-26 score was correlated negatively with RSES (r=-0.13, P<0.04) and positively with body weight, BMI, and SPAS (r=0.40, 0.42, and 0.47, respectively, P<0.001). SPAS had positive correlation with body weight and BMI (r=0.22, 0.19, CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that disordered eating attitudes are prevalent among Iranian females who participate in fitness programs. In this group, high SPA, body weight and BMI, and low SE accompany disordered eating attitudes.