No difference in platelet activation or inflammation markers after diets rich or poor in vegetables, berries and apple in healthy subjects

Background: High intake of vegetables and fruits is associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease. Part of these cardioprotective effects may be mediated via the antithrombotic effects of compounds found in vegetables and fruits, such as flavonoids. Aim of the study: To study the effects of high and low intake of vegetables, berries and apple on platelet function and inflammatory markers. Methods: The study was a randomised, controlled parallel human dietary intervention with healthy female and male volunteers (n = 77, 19–52 y). Nineteen healthy volunteers served as controls. The volunteers consumed one of four strictly controlled isocaloric 6-week diets containing either 810 or 196 g/10 MJ of vegetables, berries and apple and rich either in linoleic acid (11% of energy, en%) or oleic acid (12 en%). Blood and three 24-hour urine samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the study period for analyses of various markers of platelet function and inflammation. Results: No differences between the treatment groups were seen in platelet count or volume, markers of platelet activation (ex vivo aggregation to ADP and thrombin receptor activating peptide, protein kinase C activity, urinary 2,3-dinor-thromboxane B2 excretion, plasma P-selectin), plasma intercellular adhesion molecule-1, sensitive C-reactive protein, or antiphospholipid antibodies. Conclusions: The results indicate that in healthy volunteers 6-week diets differing markedly in the amounts of vegetables, berries and apple do not differ in their effects on platelets or inflammation.Peer reviewe

The prevalence of cardiac complications and their impact on outcomes in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious condition, and a myocardial injury or dysfunction could contribute to the outcome. We assessed the prevalence and prognostic impact of cardiac involvement in a cohort with SAH. This is a prospective observational multicenter study. We included 192 patients treated for non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. We performed ECG recordings, echocardiographic examinations, and blood sampling within 24 h of admission and on days 3 and 7 and at 90 days. The primary endpoint was the evidence of cardiac involvement at 90 days, and the secondary endpoint was to examine the prevalence of a myocardial injury or dysfunction. The median age was 54.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 48.0-64.0) years, 44.3% were male and the median World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) score was 2 (IQR 1-4). At day 90, 22/125 patients (17.6%) had left ventricular ejection fractions ≤ 50%, and 2/121 patients (1.7%) had evidence of a diastolic dysfunction as defined by mitral peak E-wave velocity by peak e' velocity (E/e') > 14. There was no prognostic impact from echocardiographic evidence of cardiac complications on neurological outcomes. The overall prevalence of cardiac dysfunction was modest. We found no demographic or SAH-related factors associated with 90 days cardiac dysfunction

Milled rapeseeds and oats decrease milk saturated fatty acids and ruminal methane emissions in dairy cows without changes in product sensory quality

Plant lipids in the diet are known to modify milk fatty acid (FA) composition and to mitigate ruminal methane emissions. The objective of the present work was to examine the potential of milled rapeseeds and oats to decrease both milk saturated FA and ruminal methane emissions at practical farm conditions. In the pilot study, six Finnish Ayrshire cows were fed a control diet for 3 weeks followed by a lipid-rich test diet of 3 weeks. Experimental diets were based on grass silage supplemented with barley and rapeseed meal in the control diet, and with oats and milled rapeseeds in the test diet. Lipid inclusion rate was 55 g/kg dry matter (DM). In the main study, the whole Finnish Ayrshire research herd in milk (n=49-59) was used in a switch-back designed study. The cows were fed a control diet for 3 weeks, then a test diet for 4 weeks and finally control diet for 3 weeks. The diets were the same as in the pilot study except for lower lipid inclusion level of 50 g/kg DM. Test diet decreased DM intake by 15% and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield by 13% in the pilot study. The adjustment of supplemental lipids from 55 to 50 g/kg DM was successful as the DM intake decreased only by 4% relative to control diet in the main study. Furthermore, the yields of milk, lactose, protein, and fat were also unaffected by dietary lipids in the main study. Milk fat was significantly altered in both studies. Milk fat saturated FA were decreased by 16-20% in the test diet, mainly due to the de novo FA of 6- to 16-carbon (reduction of 22-48%). Milk fat cis-9 18:1 was increased by 63-78% in the test diet relative to control. Dairy products’ (milk, butter, cheese) organoleptic quality was not compromised by modified lipid profile. Ruminal methane and hydrogen intensities (n=23, g or mg/kg ECM) were 20 and 39% lower, respectively on test diet relative to control. This reduction can be attributed to lower amount of organic matter fermented in the rumen as indicated by lower DM intake and nutrient digestibility

Protein Supplements and Their Relation with Nutrition, Microbiota Composition and Health: Is More Protein Always Better for Sportspeople?

Sports nutrition products are developed and targeted mainly for athletes to improve their nutrient intake, performance, and muscle growth. The fastest growing consumer groups for these products are recreational sportspeople and lifestyle users. Although athletes may have elevated physiological protein requirements and they may benefit from dietary supplements, the evidence regarding the role of dietary protein and supplements in the nutrition of recreational sportspeople and sedentary populations is somewhat complex and contradictory. In high-protein diets, more undigested protein-derived constituents end up in the large intestine compared to moderate or low-protein diets, and hence, more bacterial amino acid metabolism takes place in the colon, having both positive and negative systemic and metabolic effects on the host. The aim of the present review is to summarize the impact of the high-protein products and diets on nutrition and health, in sportspeople and in sedentary consumers. We are opening the debate about the current protein intake recommendations, with an emphasis on evidence-based effects on intestinal microbiota and personalized guidelines regarding protein and amino acid supplementation in sportspeople and lifestyle consumers

Effect of Milk Fat Globule Membrane- and Protein-Containing Snack Product on Physical Performance of Older Women—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Sarcopenia is common in people 70+ years of age, and its prevalence increases with further aging. Insufficient energy and protein intake accelerates muscle loss, whereas sufficient protein intake and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) may suppress age-associated deterioration of muscle mass and strength. Our objective was to test whether a snack product high in MFGM and protein would improve physical performance in older women. Methods: In this 12-week randomized controlled trial, women ≥ 70 years, with protein intake < 1.2 g/body weight (BW) kg/day (d), were randomized into intervention (n = 51) and control (n = 50) groups. The intervention group received a daily snack product containing ≥ 23 g of milk protein and 3.6–3.9 g of MFGM. Both groups were advised to perform a five-movement exercise routine. The primary outcome was the change in the five-time-sit-to-stand test between the groups. Secondary outcomes included changes in physical performance, cognition, hand grip strength, and health-related quality of life. Results: The change in the five-time-sit-to-stand test did not differ between the intervention and the control groups. The change in the total Short Physical Performance Battery score differed significantly, favoring the intervention group (p = 0.020), and the balance test showed the largest difference. Protein intake increased significantly in the intervention group (+14 g) compared to the control group (+2 g). No other significant changes were observed. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the combination of MFGM and protein may improve the physical performance-related balance of older women