7 research outputs found
Leucine supplementation improves adiponectin and total cholesterol concentrations despite the lack of changes in adiposity or glucose homeostasis in rats previously exposed to a high-fat diet
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies suggest that leucine supplementation (LS) has a therapeutic potential to prevent obesity and to promote glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, regular physical exercise is a widely accepted strategy for body weight maintenance and also for the prevention of obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chronic LS alone or combined with endurance training (ET) as potential approaches for reversing the insulin resistance and obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty-seven rats were randomly divided into two groups. Animals were fed a control diet-low fat (<it>n = </it>10) or HFD (<it>n = </it>37). After 15 weeks on HFD, all rats received the control diet-low fat and were randomly divided according to treatment: reference (REF), LS, ET, and LS+ET (<it>n = </it>7-8 rats per group). After 6 weeks of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and body composition, fat cell volume, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, adiponectin, leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At the end of the sixth week of treatment, there was no significant difference in body weight between the REF, LS, ET and LS+ET groups. However, ET increased lean body mass in rats (<it>P </it>= 0.019). In addition, ET was more effective than LS in reducing adiposity (<it>P </it>= 0.019), serum insulin (<it>P </it>= 0.022) and TNF-α (<it>P </it>= 0.044). Conversely, LS increased serum adiponectin (<it>P </it>= 0.021) levels and reduced serum total cholesterol concentration (<it>P </it>= 0.042).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results showed that LS had no beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity or adiposity in previously obese rats. On the other hand, LS was effective in increasing adiponectin levels and in reducing total cholesterol concentration.</p
Beta-alanine supplementation improves isometric, but not isotonic or isokinetic strength endurance in recreationally strength-trained young men
Background: β-alanine (BA) supplementation may be ergogenic during high intensity exercise, primarily due to the buffering of hydrogen cations, although the effects of beta-alanine supplementationon strength endurance are equivocal.
Aim: To determine the effects of 4 weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on skeletal muscle endurance using a battery of performance tests.
Methods: This study employed a parallel group, repeated measures, randomised, double-blinded and placebo controlled design. Twenty recreationally strength-trained healthy males completed tests of isotonic strength endurance (repeated bench and leg press), along with tests of isometric and isokinetic endurance conducted using an isokinetic dynamometer. Tests were performed before and after a 4 week intervention, comprising an intake of 6.4g.day-1 10 of BA (n = 9) or placebo (maltodextrin, n = 11).
Results: Time-to-exhaustion during the isometric endurance test improved by ~17% in the BA group (p 0.1) were shown for any of the performance variables in the isokinetic test (peak torque, fatigue index, total work) nor for the total number of repetitions performed in the isotonic endurance tests (leg or bench press).
Conclusions: Four weeks of BA supplementation (6.4 g.day-1 15 ) improved isometric, but not isokinetic or isotonic endurance performance
The effect of physical exercise and caloric restriction on the components of metabolic syndrome
Chia seeds products: an overview
Chia, Salvia hispanica L., is a medicinal
and dietary plant species used since ancient times by
Mayan and Aztec. Its product is a dry indehiscent fruit
which is commonly called seed. In recent times, there
was an increasing attention and diffusion of the seeds
of the plant for their health benefits and uses in
cooking. In fact, seeds are a rich source of nutrients
first of all the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids that
protect from inflammation, enhance cognitive performance
and reduce the level of cholesterol. Seeds are
also rich in polyphenols derived from caffeic acid that
are antioxidant compounds protecting the body from
free radicals, aging and cancer. In addition, carbohydrate
based fibers, present at high concentration levels,
are associated with reducing inflammation, lowering
cholesterol and regulating bowel function. This review
summarizes the current knowledge on the phytochemistry
and pharmacological properties of the seeds of
this plant, with special emphasis on the nutritional, and
phytochemical analysis of the plant, including the
recently developed metabolomic studie