The Effects of a Multi-Flavonoid Supplement on Vascular and Hemodynamic Parameters in Older Pre-Hypertensives

Antioxidants have been shown to increase vasodilation, increasing vascular distensibility and decreasing blood pressure (BP) in individuals with elevated BP; therefore an additive effect would be expected when combined with exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential additive effects of an acute aerobic exercise bout paired with two weeks of anti-oxidant supplementation on post-exercise BP in middle-aged pre-hypertensives. Methods: 18 middle-aged subjects were randomly assigned to either the supplement or the placebo group in double-blinded fashion. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), Augmentation Index (AIx), central and peripheral pulse wave velocity (cPWV and pPWV, respectively) were assessed pre- and post-exercise prior to and following 2 weeks of supplementation in a double-blind design. Results: Following two weeks of supplementation, there was a significant decrease in SBP (132.2 ± 5.4 pre-supplementation to 124.9 ± 5.4 post-, p < 0.05) and MAP (100.2 ± 2.2 pre-supplementation to 94.6 ± 4.4 post-, p < 0.05). No significant differences were shown in DBP, AIx, cPWV, or pPWV. Conclusion: Two weeks of multi-flavonoid supplementation elicited a significant decrease in SBP and MAP in the treatment group with no changes in vascular parameters

Reduction of plasma aldosterone and arterial stiffness in obese pre- and stage1 hypertensive subjects after aerobic exercise

Obesity-related hypertension is associated with increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), increasing arterial stiffness. Aerobic exercise decreases pulse wave velocity (PWV), therefore a treatment option for hypertension and obesity. Assess RAAS activity and PWV before and after 4 weeks of aerobic training in unmedicated, pre-to-stage-1 hypertensives. Ten obese subjects (52±3.2 years, body mass index ¼ 33.5±1.4) performed 30 min of aerobic exercise on a treadmill 3 days per week at 65%of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Descriptive characteristics, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), PWV, and a blood draw was performed at baseline, following the 4-week control and training interventions. No differences in descriptive characteristics during the control period were observed, however, a signi?cant decrease in plasma aldosterone (ALDO) (255.4±75 to 215.8±66 pg ml 1, P ¼ 0.001), SBP (140±12 to 136±10.4 mm Hg; P ¼ 0.02), DBP (89±4.2 to 85±6.3 mm Hg; P ¼ 0.03) and central PWV (11.2±0.6 to 9.8±0.8 m s 1; P ¼ 0.04) was shown pre-to-post exercise training. Four weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic training in obese, hypertensives decreases plasma ALDO independently of body weight and is signi?cantly correlated to decreases in PWV reductions

The Effects of a Multiflavonoid Supplement on Vascular and Hemodynamic Parameters following Acute Exercise

Antioxidants can decrease oxidative stress and combined with acute exercise they may lead to further decreases in blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 weeks of antioxidant supplementation on vascular distensibility and cardiovascular hemodynamics during postexercise hypotension. Methods. Twenty young subjects were randomized to placebo (n = 10) or antioxidant supplementation (n = 10) for two weeks. Antioxidant status, vascular distensibility, and hemodynamics were obtained before, immediately, and 30 minutes after an acute bout of aerobic exercise both before and after supplementation. Results. Two weeks of antioxidant supplementation resulted in a greater systolic blood pressure (SBP) decrease during postexercise hypotension (PEH) and significant decreases in augmentation index versus placebo (12.5% versus 3.5%, resp.). Also ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) increased significantly (interaction P = 0.024) after supplementation. Conclusion. Supplementation showed an additive effect on PEH associated with increased FRAP values and decreases in systolic blood pressure and augmentation index

Comparison of a low carbohydrate and low fat diet for weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults enrolled in a clinical weight management program

BACKGROUND:Recent evidence suggests that a low carbohydrate (LC) diet may be equally or more effective for short-term weight loss than a traditional low fat (LF) diet; however, less is known about how they compare for weight maintenance. The purpose of this study was to compare body weight (BW) for participants in a clinical weight management program, consuming a LC or LF weight maintenance diet for 6 months following weight loss.METHODS:Fifty-five (29 low carbohydrate diet; 26 low fat diet) overweight/obese middle-aged adults completed a 9 month weight management program that included instruction for behavior, physical activity (PA), and nutrition. For 3 months all participants consumed an identical liquid diet (2177 kJ/day) followed by 1 month of re-feeding with solid foods either low in carbohydrate or low in fat. For the remaining 5 months, participants were prescribed a meal plan low in dietary carbohydrate (~20%) or fat (~30%). BW and carbohydrate or fat grams were collected at each group meeting. Energy and macronutrient intake were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months.RESULTS:The LC group increased BW from 89.2 ± 14.4 kg at 3 months to 89.3 ± 16.1 kg at 9 months (P = 0.84). The LF group decreased BW from 86.3 ± 12.0 kg at 3 months to 86.0 ± 14.0 kg at 9 months (P = 0.96). BW was not different between groups during weight maintenance (P = 0.87). Fifty-five percent (16/29) and 50% (13/26) of participants for the LC and LF groups, respectively, continued to decrease their body weight during weight maintenance.CONCLUSION:Following a 3 month liquid diet, the LC and LF diet groups were equally effective for BW maintenance over 6 months; however, there was significant variation in weight change within each group

Comparison of a low carbohydrate and low fat diet for weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults enrolled in a clinical weight management program

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent evidence suggests that a low carbohydrate (LC) diet may be equally or more effective for short-term weight loss than a traditional low fat (LF) diet; however, less is known about how they compare for weight maintenance. The purpose of this study was to compare body weight (BW) for participants in a clinical weight management program, consuming a LC or LF weight maintenance diet for 6 months following weight loss.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-five (29 low carbohydrate diet; 26 low fat diet) overweight/obese middle-aged adults completed a 9 month weight management program that included instruction for behavior, physical activity (PA), and nutrition. For 3 months all participants consumed an identical liquid diet (2177 kJ/day) followed by 1 month of re-feeding with solid foods either low in carbohydrate or low in fat. For the remaining 5 months, participants were prescribed a meal plan low in dietary carbohydrate (~20%) or fat (~30%). BW and carbohydrate or fat grams were collected at each group meeting. Energy and macronutrient intake were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The LC group increased BW from 89.2 ± 14.4 kg at 3 months to 89.3 ± 16.1 kg at 9 months (<it>P </it>= 0.84). The LF group decreased BW from 86.3 ± 12.0 kg at 3 months to 86.0 ± 14.0 kg at 9 months (<it>P </it>= 0.96). BW was not different between groups during weight maintenance (<it>P </it>= 0.87). Fifty-five percent (16/29) and 50% (13/26) of participants for the LC and LF groups, respectively, continued to decrease their body weight during weight maintenance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Following a 3 month liquid diet, the LC and LF diet groups were equally effective for BW maintenance over 6 months; however, there was significant variation in weight change within each group.</p

Body weight across weight maintenance for low carbohydrate and low fat groups

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Comparison of a low carbohydrate and low fat diet for weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults enrolled in a clinical weight management program"</p><p>http://www.nutritionj.com/content/6/1/36</p><p>Nutrition Journal 2007;6():36-36.</p><p>Published online 1 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2228297.</p><p></p> LC = low carbohydrate group. LF = low fat group. No significant group*time interaction or within group differences (> 0.05)

Individual Participant Responses in Body Weight for the Low Fat Group during Weight Maintenance

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Comparison of a low carbohydrate and low fat diet for weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults enrolled in a clinical weight management program"</p><p>http://www.nutritionj.com/content/6/1/36</p><p>Nutrition Journal 2007;6():36-36.</p><p>Published online 1 Nov 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2228297.</p><p></p