A new, microalgal DHA- and EPA-containing oil lowers triacylglycerols in adults with mild-to-moderate hypertriglyceridemia.

In this double-blind, parallel trial, 93 healthy adults with hypertriglyceridemia (triacylglycerols [TAG] 150-499 mg/dL) were randomized to receive either a nutritional oil derived from marine algae (DHA-O; 2.4 g/day docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] in a 2.7:1 ratio), fish oil (FO; 2.0 g/day DHA and EPA in a 0.7:1 ratio), or a corn oil/soy oil control as 4-1g softgel capsules/day with meals for 14 weeks; and were instructed to maintain their habitual diet. Percent changes from baseline for DHA-O, FO, and control, respectively, were TAG (-18.9, -22.9, 3.5; p<0.001 DHA-O and FO vs. control), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.6, 6.8, -0.6; p<0.05 DHA-O and FO vs. control), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.3, 6.9, 0.6; p<0.05 FO vs. control). This study demonstrated that ingestion of microalgal DHA-O providing 2.4 g/day DHA+EPA lowered TAG levels to a degree that was not different from that of a standard fish oil product, and that was significantly more than for a corn oil/soy oil control.

Postprandial metabolism with 1,3-diacylglycerol oil versus equivalent intakes of long-chain and medium-chain triacylglycerol oils.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the ability of novel lipid structures including medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) and 1,3-diacylglycerol (DG) oil to lower postprandial triacylglycerol (TG) elevation and increase hepatic fat oxidation when substituted for dietary TG, which may be useful in the prevention and treatment of obesity and other related metabolic conditions, such as dyslipidemias. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, crossover trial evaluated the effects of an oral fat load containing DG or MCTs compared with equivalent intakes of long-chain triacylglycerols (LCTs) on the postprandial metabolic responses of insulin-resistant men and women (n = 36). Each subject consumed a single oral fat load on each test day. The fat loads were delivered in milkshakes that contained 30 g of one of the three test oils. RESULTS: The postprandial TG incremental area under the curve after MCT was 73% lower, and that for DG was 22% lower, compared with the response after LCT oil. The incremental area under the curve values for chylomicron TG were reduced versus LCT by 89% and 28%, respectively, in the MCT and DG conditions. Compared with the LCT treatment, beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration was increased after MCT oil, but not after DG. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that dietary DG decreased postprandial triglyceridemia compared with LCT, but to a lesser extent than MCT.

Acute effects of low insulinemic sweeteners on postprandial insulin and glucose concentrations in obese men.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind, crossover study was designed to assess the effects of trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide, alone and in combination with fructose, on postprandial serum insulin and glucose levels in obese men compared with a glucose control. METHODS: Participants (n=21) ingested one of three study beverages, providing 75 g total carbohydrate, at each test visit, and venous blood samples were collected immediately prior to consumption (0 min) and at 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min post-consumption for assessment of serum insulin and plasma glucose levels. RESULTS: Consumption of beverages containing trehalose and the trehalose/fructose combination blunted glycemic and insulinemic incremental areas under the curve by 20-35%, as compared with the glucose control. CONCLUSIONS: Trehalose, alone or in combination with fructose, elicited lower glycemic and insulinemic responses in obese men as compared with glucose alone, and may have advantages in the development of food products.

Lipid-altering effects of different formulations of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), a viscous, soluble dietary fiber, has been shown to be efficacious for lowering total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. The relative effects of various dosages and viscosities of HPMC have not been fully evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To examine the lipid-altering effects of several formulations of HPMC. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind pilot study, 165 men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia consumed a control product (snack bar or drink mix) or an HPMC-containing test bar or drink for 4 weeks. HPMC-containing products delivered 3, 5, or 10g of HPMC of low, moderate, moderately high, or high viscosity (9 HPMC groups, each with ∼15 subjects). RESULTS: Data from drink and bar groups were combined because there was no evidence of a vehicle effect. The resulting analysis included data from the control and 6 HPMC dose and viscosity combinations. All HPMC groups showed LDL-C reductions ranging from 6.1 to 13.3% (P < .05 vs. baseline for 6 of the 7 groups), compared with a nonsignificant reduction (1.9%) in the control group. Changes in total and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol paralleled those for LDL-C. Concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were not significantly altered. CONCLUSION: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence to support the efficacy of various formulations of HPMC for reducing cholesterol carried by atherogenic particles in men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia. Additional research will be required to more clearly define the roles of viscosity and dosage on the lipid-altering effects of HPMC.