Cholesterol-lowering ability of a phytostanol softgel supplement in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Plant sterols, incorporated into spreads and other food sources, have been shown to lower serum cholesterol concentrations. The effect of phytostanol supplementation in softgel form has not been assessed. Our objective was to examine the effects of sitostanol as sitostanol ester in softgel form on serum lipid concentrations in hypercholesterolemic individuals. Thirty hypercholesterolemic adults were supplemented with 1.6 g of free phytostanol equivalents as phytostanol ester (2.7 g stanol esters) or placebo per day for 28 d in a randomized, double-blind, parallel study design. Phytostanol supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) (-8%) and LDL-cholesterol (-9%). There were no alterations in concentrations of HDL-cholesterol or TG. Nor were the ratios of LDL/HDL or TC/HDL altered significantly. Thus, use of phytostanol ester softgel supplements improved serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Effect of randomized supplementation with high dose olive, flax or fish oil on serum phospholipid fatty acid levels in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been positively correlated with cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric health in several studies. The high seafood intake by the Japanese and Greenland Inuit has resulted in low ratios of the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), with the Japanese showing AA:EPA ratios of approximately 1.7 and the Greenland Eskimos showing ratios of approximately 0.14. It was the objective of this study to determine the effect of supplementation with high doses (60 g) of flax and fish oils on the blood phospholipid (PL) fatty acid status, and AA/EPA ratio of individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), commonly associated with decreased blood omega-3 fatty acid levels. Thirty adults with ADHD were randomized to 12 weeks of supplementation with olive oil (< 1% omega-3 fatty acids), flax oil (source of alpha-linolenic acid; 18:3n-3; alpha-LNA) or fish oil (source of EPA and docosahexaenoic acid; 22:6n-3; DHA). Serum PL fatty acid levels were determined at baseline and at 12 weeks. Flax oil supplementation resulted in an increase in alpha-LNA and a slight decrease in the ratio of AA/EPA, while fish oil supplementation resulted in increases in EPA, DHA and total omega-3 fatty acids and a decrease in the AA/EPA ratio to values seen in the Japanese population. These data suggest that in order to increase levels of EPA and DHA in adults with ADHD, and decrease the AA/EPA ratio to levels seen in high fish consuming populations, high dose fish oil may be preferable to high dose flax oil. Future study is warranted to determine whether correction of low levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids is of therapeutic benefit in this population.

Caffeine ingestion increases the insulin response to an oral-glucose-tolerance test in obese men before and after weight loss.

BACKGROUND: Caffeine ingestion decreases the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) for an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) and decreases insulin-induced glucose disposal in lean male subjects during a hyperinsulinemic clamp. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of caffeine ingestion on insulin and glucose homeostasis in obese men before and after a nutrition and exercise intervention. DESIGN: Nine sedentary, obese [body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 34.0 +/- 1.0] men who had refrained from exercise and caffeine ingestion for 48 h underwent 2 oral-glucose-tolerance tests (OGTTs). The subjects randomly received caffeine (5 mg/kg) or placebo 1 h before each OGTT. After a 12-wk nutrition and exercise intervention, during which time the subjects avoided dietary caffeine, the OGTTs were repeated. RESULTS: The intervention resulted in decreases (P < or = 0.05) in body weight (8.5 +/- 1.5 kg), percentage body fat (2.8 +/- 0.7%), and fasting glucose, insulin, and proinsulin concentrations and increases in the ISI for the placebo OGTT (P < or = 0.05). Caffeine caused a greater (P < or = 0.05) OGTT insulin response and a lower (P < or = 0.05) ISI both before and after weight loss. The proinsulin-insulin ratio indicated that neither weight loss nor caffeine affected the nature of the beta cell secretion of insulin. CONCLUSIONS: A nutrition and exercise intervention improved, whereas caffeine ingestion impaired, insulin-glucose homeostasis in obese men. The results are consistent with previous findings that caffeine ingestion contributes to insulin resistance.

Blood phospholipid fatty acid analysis of adults with and without attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Several psychiatric disorders, including juvenile Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), have been associated with abnormalities of certain long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA). Despite this reported association, the FA levels of patients with the adult form of ADHD have not previously been evaluated. In this study we measured the total blood phospholipid FA concentrations in 35 control subjects and 37 adults with ADHD symptoms to determine whether adults with ADHD symptoms would show abnormalities of FA relative to control subjects. In the serum phospholipids, adults with ADHD symptoms had significantly lower levels of total saturated, total polyunsaturated, and total omega-6 (n-6) FA, as well as the omega-3 (n-3) LCPUFA DHA (22:6n-3), and significantly higher levels of total monounsaturated FA and the n-3 LCPUFA docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3). In the erythrocyte membrane phospholipids, adults with ADHD symptoms had significantly lower levels of total PUFA, total n-3 FA, and DHA, and significantly higher levels of total saturated FA. Neither serum nor erythrocyte membrane phospholipid DHA was related to ADHD symptom severity (as assessed by the Amen questionnaire) in ADHD subjects. Although the exact cause of these variations is unknown, both environmental and genetic factors may be involved.

Effect of glucosamine supplementation on fasting and non-fasting plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations in healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that glucose intolerance does not occur when healthy adults consume normal, recommended dosages of glucosamine sulfate. METHODS: Healthy adults (N=19) ingested 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate or placebo (double blind) each day for 12 weeks. Three-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed using 75 g of dextrose. These occurred before the start of supplementation, at 6 weeks, and at the completion of supplementation (12 weeks). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between fasted levels of serum insulin or blood glucose. Glucosamine sulfate supplementation did not alter serum insulin or plasma glucose during the OGTT. There were no significant differences within or between treatments, ages or gender. Glycated hemoglobin measurements at the three time points showed no significant change over time, within or between treatments, ages or gender. The lack of significant changes may have been due to large standard deviations in the data. CONCLUSION: The data suggests that glucosamine supplementation, with normal recommended dosages, does not cause glucose intolerance in healthy adults. This cannot be determined conclusively, however, until further studies are conducted using alternative types of testing.

Effects of a stimulant-free dietary supplement on body weight and fat loss in obese adults: a six-week exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and stroke. Stimulants, such as ephedrine and caffeine and their herbal counterparts, have proved effective in facilitating body weight loss, but their use is controversial due to their undesired effects. Other nutraceuticals have shown moderate success in reducing body weight, whereas several other compounds have demonstrated little or no effect. Therefore, a tolerable and effective nutraceutical that can increase energy expenditure and/or decrease caloric intake is desirable for body weight reduction. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the tolerability and effectiveness of a novel, stimulant-free, dietary supplement containing glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, Gymnema sylvestre, and vitamin C on body weight and fat loss and change in body composition in obese adults. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at the University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario, Canada), obese adults (aged 20-50 years; body mass index [BMI], ≥30 kg/m(2)) were randomized to the treatment or placebo group. The treatment group received 6 capsules of a dietary supplement containing a proprietary blend of glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, G sylvestre, and vitamin C daily for 6 weeks, and the placebo group received 6 capsules of rice flour daily for 6 weeks. Body weight; percentage of body fat; absolute fat mass; lean body mass; BMI; upper abdominal, waist, and hip circumference; and anthropometric measurements were recorded at baseline and at study end. Patients completed daily dietary intake records on days 1 to 3 and days 40 to 42. They also completed weekly activity logs throughout the study. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects (mean [SD] age, 37.0 [8.2] years [range, 21-48years]; mean [SD] BMI, 35.7 [6.2] kg/m(2) [range, 28.9-50.9 kg/m(2)]) were assigned to the treatment group (8 women, 4 men) or the placebo group (9 women,3 men). Two subjects (8.3%; 1 patient [8.3%] from each group) dropped out for personal reasons unrelated to the study. No significant changes in the consumption of total calories; the percentage of calories ingested as carbohydrates, fat, or protein; or activity levels were found in either group throughout the study. Compared with the placebo group, the treatment group lost significantly more body weight (-2.3 kg vs 0.0 kg; P<0.01), percentage of body fat (-1.1% vs 0.2%; P<0.05), and absolute fat mass (-2.0 kg vs 0.2 kg; P<0.001). The treatment group also experienced a significantly greater reduction in upper abdominal circumference (-4.5 cm vs -0.7 cm), waist circumference (-4.1 cm vs 0.1 cm), and hip circumference (-2.9 cm vs 0.6 cm) compared with the placebo group (P<0.05 for all). No significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure were found in either group. Both the treatment and the placebo were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Within the context of this study, the novel combination of glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, G sylvestre, and vitamin C results in significant body weight and fat loss in obese adults. Disclosure: Derek E. Woodgate, MSc, is president and owner of NxCare Inc., which produces the dietary supplement containing glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, Gymnema sylvestre, and vitamin C (trade name Calorie-Care™).

Effect of exercise on FA profiles in n-3 FA-supplemented and -nonsupplemented premenopausal women.

The purpose of this double-blind study was to investigate the influence of exercise on the FA profile of the non-esterified FA (NEFA) and phospholipid fractions in plasma of sedentary women supplemented with n-3 FA vs. women supplemented with oil containing no n-3 FA. Twenty sedentary, premenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive 12 capsules daily of either fish oil (3.5 g EPA and 2.4 g DHA per day, each as the ethyl ester) or evening primrose oil capsules (no detectable EPA or DHA). Each subject consumed the capsules for one menstrual cycle. At the end of the supplementation period, the sedentary subjects underwent an acute exercise trial [55% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), 45 min] on a cycle ergometer. Two subjects in the fish oil group were removed from all calculations owing to noncompliance for reasons not related to side effects. There were no changes in the phospholipid composition of either group of women after exercise. In both control and fish oil-supplemented women, NEFA levels in general rose after exercise. There were no changes in the percentage of any given individual NEFA in either supplementation group. However, absolute levels of certain individual NEFA (16:0, 18:0, 18:1, and 18:3n-3) increased with exercise. Women supplemented with fish oil had increased levels of n-3 NEFA IEPA, DHA, and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)] prior to exercise. Exercise did not, however, increase the absolute levels of n-3 NEFA in the blood.