The Short-Term Effect of Prunes in Improving Bone in Men.

Osteoporosis is a major health concern in aging populations, where 54% of the U.S. population aged 50 and older have low bone mineral density (BMD). Increases in inflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in the development of osteoporosis. Men are at a greater risk of mortality due to osteoporosis-related fractures. Our earlier findings in rodent male and female models of osteoporosis, as well as postmenopausal women strongly suggest the efficacy of prunes (dried plum) in reducing inflammation and preventing/reversing bone loss. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two doses of prunes, daily, on biomarkers of inflammation and bone metabolism in men with some degree of bone loss (BMD; t-score between -0.1 and -2.5 SD), for three months. Thirty-five men between the ages of 55 and 80 years were randomized into one of three groups: 100 g prunes, 50 g prunes, or control. Consumption of 100 g prunes led to a significant decrease in serum osteocalcin (p < 0.001). Consumption of 50 g prunes led to significant decreases in serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) (p = 0.003) and serum osteocalcin (p = 0.040), and an increase in the OPG:RANKL ratio (p = 0.041). Regular consumption of either 100 g or 50 g prunes for three months may positively affect bone turnover.

The Relationship between Protein Intake and Source on Factors Associated with Glycemic Control in Individuals with Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality largely due to increased cardiovascular disease risk. This study examined the relationships among protein consumption and sources on glycemic control and cardiovascular health in individuals with prediabetes and T2D. Sixty-two overweight or obese participants with prediabetes or T2D, aged 45-75 years were stratified into the following three groups based on protein intake: <0.8 g (gram)/kg (kilogram) body weight (bw), ≥0.8 but <1.0 g/kg bw, and ≥1.0 g/kg bw as below, meeting, and above the recommended levels of protein intake, respectively. Body mass, body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), waist circumference (WC), lean mass, and fat mass (FM) were significantly higher in participants who consumed below the recommended level of protein intake as compared with other groups. Higher animal protein intake was associated with greater insulin secretion and lower triglycerides (TG). Total, low-density, and high-density cholesterol were significantly higher in participants who met the recommended protein intake as compared with the other groups. These data suggest that high protein consumption is associated with lower BMI, HC, WC, and FM, and can improve insulin resistance without affecting lipid profiles in this population. Furthermore, higher intake of animal protein can improve ß-cell function and lower plasma TG.

Effects of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Consumption on Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Greater than one-third of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of risk factors highly associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases. Premature vascular dysfunction in MetS may lead to accelerated age-related atherogenesis and arterial stiffening, thereby increasing cardiovascular risk. Montmorency tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) are rich in bioactive compounds, such as anthocyanins, known to exert cardiovascular protective effects. Previous research suggests that tart cherry juice consumption may improve cardiovascular health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of tart cherry juice on hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, and blood biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health in men and women with MetS. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm pilot clinical trial, 19 men and women 20 to 60 years of age with MetS consumed 240 mL of tart cherry juice (Tart Cherry; n = 5 males, 4 females) or an isocaloric placebo-control drink (Control; n = 5 males, 5 females) twice daily for 12 weeks. Arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), brachial and aortic blood pressures, wave reflection (augmentation index), and blood biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health were assessed at baseline and 6 and 12 weeks. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were significantly lower (P = .047 and P = .036, respectively) in Tart Cherry than Control at 12 weeks, but were not significantly lower than baseline values. There was a trend for total cholesterol to be lower (P = .08) in Tart Cherry than Control at 12 weeks. No significant changes were observed in hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, or other blood biomarkers assessed. These results suggest that daily tart cherry consumption may attenuate processes involved in accelerated atherogenesis without affecting hemodynamics or arterial stiffness parameters in this population. The pilot nature of this study warrants interpreting these findings with caution, and future clinical trials with a larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.

Is soy protein effective in reducing cholesterol and improving bone health?

Hyperlipidemia associated with cardiovascular health, and bone loss with regard to osteoporosis contribute to increased morbidity and mortality and are influenced by diet. Soy protein has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, and its isoflavones may improve bone health. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soy protein on lipid profiles and biomarkers of bone metabolism and inflammation. Ninety men and women (aged 27-87) were randomly assigned to consume 40 g of soy or casein protein daily for three months. Both soy and casein consumption significantly reduced bone alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.011) and body fat % (P < 0.001), tended to decrease tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (P = 0.066), and significantly increased serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) (P < 0.001), yet soy increased IGF-1 to a greater extent (P = 0.01) than casein. Neither treatment affected total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or C-reactive protein. These results demonstrate that daily supplementation of soy and casein protein may have positive effects on indices of bone metabolism and body composition, with soy protein being more effective at increasing IGF-1, an anabolic factor, which may be due to soy isoflavones' role in upregulating Runx2 gene expression, while having little effect on lipid profiles and markers of inflammation.

Influence of daily fresh pear consumption on biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Previous research suggests potential for fresh pears as a functional food for promoting cardiometabolic health. The purpose of this randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial was to evaluate the influence of daily fresh pear consumption on blood pressure (primary outcome) and other biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Forty men and women aged 45-65 years with MetS were included and randomly assigned to receive either two medium-sized fresh pears (Pear) or a calorie-matched control drink (Control) per day for each 12-week treatment period, each separated by a 4-week washout period. After 12 weeks of daily fresh pear consumption, systolic blood pressure tended to be reduced (130 ± 2 mmHg vs. 134 ± 2 mmHg at baseline, P = 0.07) and pulse pressure was significantly reduced (51 ± 1 vs. 54 ± 1 at baseline, P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, leptin concentrations were lower in the Pear group than Control (52.5 [7.6, 120.5] ng dL-1vs. 53.4 [5.0, 120.5] ng dL-1, respectively, P < 0.05), and there was a significant group by time interaction (P < 0.05). Leptin concentrations were significantly reduced at 12 weeks compared to baseline in the Pear group (52.5 [7.6, 120.5] ng dL-1vs. 54.8 [6.4, 120.5] ng dL-1 at baseline, P < 0.05) but not in the Control group. Waist circumference was significantly reduced at 12 weeks in the Pear group (107.7 ± 2.0 cm vs. 108.4 ± 2 cm at baseline, P < 0.05) with a trend for a group by time interaction (P < 0.1), and significantly lower in the Pear group than Control (108.1 ± 2.0 cm vs. 108.8 ± 2 cm, P < 0.05) at 6 weeks with a significant group by time interaction (P < 0.05). Conversely, values were significantly increased at 6 weeks (108.8 ± 2 cm vs. 108.3 ± 2.0 cm at baseline, P < 0.05) in the Control group and sustained at 12 weeks. Waist-to-hip ratio was significantly reduced (0.92 ± 0.01 vs. 0.93 ± 0.01 at baseline, P < 0.05) at 12 weeks in the Pear group, and significantly lower than Control at 6 weeks (0.93 ± 0.01 vs. 0.93 ± 0.01, respectively, P < 0.05) and 12 weeks (0.92 ± 0.01 vs. 0.93 ± 0.01, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that daily fresh pear consumption may promote modest improvements in cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults with MetS. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02228837.

Egg consumption may improve factors associated with glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in adults with pre- and type II diabetes.

Without appropriate interventions, prediabetes is typically followed by type II diabetes. Eggs are a rich source of important nutrients including protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and lecithin. In this 12-week, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 42 overweight or obese individuals between the ages of 40 and 75 years with pre- and type II-diabetes were included. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either one large egg per day or an equivalent amount of egg substitute for 12 weeks. Blood samples were obtained to analyze lipid profile and biomarkers associated with glycemic control at all time points. Regular egg consumption resulted in improvements of fasting blood glucose, which was significantly (P = 0.05) reduced by 4.4% at the final visit in the egg group. Participants in the egg group had significantly (P = 0.01) lower levels of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at all visits. In the egg group, ATP-binding cassette protein family A1 (ABCA1) was significantly higher at the 6-week visit (0.78 ± 0.21 vs. 0.28 ± 0.05 mg dL-1, P < 0.001) and tended to be higher at the final visit (0.62 ± 0.11 vs. 0.55 ± 0.18 mg dL-1, P = 0.1). The mean apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) level was also significantly higher at the final visit in the egg group compared to the control (147.43 ± 5.34 vs. 142.81 ± 5.09 mg dL-1, P = 0.01). There were no significant changes in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Daily consumption of one large egg may reduce the risk of diabetes without having any adverse effects on lipid profiles in individuals with pre- and type II diabetes.

Functionality in Middle-Aged and Older Overweight and Obese Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) suffer from immobility and pain. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between pain and functionality in middle-aged and older overweight and obese individuals with mild-to-moderate knee OA. Overall pattern, physical activity, and total energy expenditure (TEE) were assessed in 83 participants. The Western Ontario McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess lower extremity pain and function. The six-minute walk test (6-MWT) and range of motion (ROM) were also assessed. Results indicated that age was inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.349) and total WOMAC scores (r = 0.247). BMI was positively associated with TEE (r = 0.430) and WOMAC scores (r = 0.268), while ROM was positively associated with the 6-MWT (r = 0.561) and negatively associated with WOMAC (r = 0.338) and pain scores (r = 0.222). Furthermore, women had significantly greater WOMAC scores (p = 0.046) than men. Older participants (≥65 years old) had significantly lower BMI (p = 0.002), and distance traveled during the 6-MWT (p = 0.013). Our findings indicate that older individuals in this population with knee OA had lower BMI, greater ROM, and less pain and stiffness and walked slower than middle-aged individuals. Women reported greater pain, stiffness, and reduced functionality, indicating that the manifestation of OA may vary due to gender.

Bone-Protective Effects of Dried Plum in Postmenopausal Women: Efficacy and Possible Mechanisms.

Osteoporosis is an age-related chronic disease characterized by a loss of bone mass and quality, and is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. Postmenopausal women are at the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis due to the cessation in ovarian hormone production, which causes accelerated bone loss. As the demographic shifts to a more aged population, a growing number of postmenopausal women will be afflicted with osteoporosis. Certain lifestyle factors, including nutrition and exercise, are known to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and therefore play an important role in bone health. In terms of nutrition, accumulating evidence suggests that dried plum (Prunus domestica L.) is potentially an efficacious intervention for preventing and reversing bone mass and structural loss in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis, as well as in osteopenic postmenopausal women. Here, we provide evidence supporting the efficacy of dried plum in preventing and reversing bone loss associated with ovarian hormone deficiency in rodent models and in humans. We end with the results of a recent follow-up study demonstrating that postmenopausal women who previously consumed 100 g dried plum per day during our one-year clinical trial conducted five years earlier retained bone mineral density to a greater extent than those receiving a comparative control. Additionally, we highlight the possible mechanisms of action by which bioactive compounds in dried plum exert bone-protective effects. Overall, the findings of our studies and others strongly suggest that dried plum in its whole form is a promising and efficacious functional food therapy for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women, with the potential for long-lasting bone-protective effects.