High levels of dietary nitrate might in part explain the vascular benefits of diets rich in leafy greens

High levels of dietary nitrate might in part explain the vascular benefits of diets rich in leafy greens

Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 Oct;32(10):1545-51. Epub 2008 Aug 5.

Egg breakfast enhances weight loss.

Vander Wal JS, Gupta A, Khosla P, Dhurandhar NV.

Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that an egg breakfast, in contrast to a bagel breakfast matched for energy density and total energy, would enhance weight loss in overweight and obese participants while on a reduced-calorie weight loss diet.
SUBJECTS: Men and women (n=152), age 25-60 years, body mass index (BMI) >or=25 and <or=50 kg m(-2).
DESIGN: Otherwise healthy overweight or obese participants were assigned to Egg (E), Egg Diet (ED), Bagel (B) or Bagel Diet (BD) groups, based on the prescription of either an egg breakfast containing two eggs (340 kcal) or a breakfast containing bagels matched for energy density and total energy, for at least 5 days per week, respectively. The ED and BD groups were suggested a 1000 kcal energy-deficit low-fat diet, whereas the B and E groups were asked not to change their energy intake.
RESULTS: After 8 weeks, in comparison to the BD group, the ED group showed a 61% greater reduction in BMI (-0.95+/-0.82 vs -0.59+/-0.85, P<0.05), a 65% greater weight loss (-2.63+/-2.33 vs -1.59+/-2.38 kg, P<0.05), a 34% greater reduction in waist circumference (P<0.06) and a 16% greater reduction in percent body fat (P=not significant). No significant differences between the E and B groups on the aforementioned variables were obtained. Further, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, did not differ between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The egg breakfast enhances weight loss, when combined with an energy-deficit diet, but does not induce weight loss in a free-living condition. The inclusion of eggs in a weight management program may offer a nutritious supplement to enhance weight loss

Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2010 Jul;13(4):403-7.

Protein metabolic roles in treatment of obesity.

Devkota S, Layman DK.

University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To understand the potential benefits of increased dietary protein during weight loss and the importance of distribution of high-quality protein at each meal.
RECENT FINDINGS: Popular weight loss diets emphasize use of protein as a substitute for carbohydrates or fat to reduce insulin and minimize hunger and food cravings. These diets produce short-term weight loss, but long-term benefits remain obscured by failure to differentiate between outcomes of subject compliance and diet effectiveness. New molecular mechanisms have defined the benefits of protein as a meal threshold for the branched-chain amino acid leucine, which has been characterized as a unique signal regulator of muscle protein synthesis. Leucine consumed at 2.5 g triggers a postmeal anabolic response that protects metabolic active tissues during weight loss and increases loss of body fat.
SUMMARY: Balanced daily distribution of protein with increased intake at breakfast and lunch protects metabolically active tissues including skeletal muscle during weight loss.

Cutting Carbs Is More Effective Than Low-Fat Diet for Insulin-Resistant Women, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (June 21, 2010) — Obese women with insulin resistance lose more weight after three months on a lower-carbohydrate diet than on a traditional low-fat diet with the same number of calories, according to a new study.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100619173919.htm

J Nutr. 2011 Feb;141(2):249-54. Epub 2010 Dec 15.

Higher branched-chain amino acid intake is associated with a lower prevalence of being overweight or obese in middle-aged East Asian and Western adults.

Qin LQ, Xun P, Bujnowski D, Daviglus ML, Van Horn L, Stamler J, He K; INTERMAP Cooperative Research Group.

Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Abstract

Beneficial effects on body weight of supplementation with BCAA, including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, have been observed in animal and human studies. However, population-based studies on dietary BCAA intake and body weight are lacking. The objective of this study was to examine the association between dietary BCAA intake and risk of overweight status/obesity among multi-ethnic populations. The International Study of Macro-/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure is a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation in China, Japan, the UK, and the US. The study cohort included 4429 men and women ages 40-59 y who were free of diabetes. Diet was assessed by 4 multi-pass 24-h recalls; data on nutrients including BCAA were derived from country-specific food tables. Overweight status and obesity were defined as BMI ≥ 25 and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2), respectively. Multivariable-adjusted OR of overweight status/obesity and 95% CI by quartiles of BCAA intake were estimated by logistic regression. Mean BCAA intake was 2.6 ± 0.6% energy; intake was significantly lower among Chinese participants and similar among participants from the other 3 countries. Compared with those in the first quartile, the multivariable-adjusted OR (95% CI) of overweight status from the 2nd to 4th quartiles of BCAA intake were 0.97 (0.80-1.17), 0.91 (0.75-1.11), and 0.70 (0.57-0.86), respectively (P-trend < 0.01). BCAA intake and obesity were also inversely associated (P-trend = 0.03). In conclusion, higher dietary BCAA intake is associated with lower prevalence of overweight status/obesity among apparently healthy middle-aged adults from East Asian and Western countries.

Int J Sports Med. 2007 Jun;28(6):531-8. Epub 2007 May 11.

Branched-chain amino acids and arginine supplementation attenuates skeletal muscle proteolysis induced by moderate exercise in young individuals.

Matsumoto K, Mizuno M, Mizuno T, Dilling-Hansen B, Lahoz A, Bertelsen V, Münster H, Jordening H, Hamada K, Doi T.

Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Yoshinogari, Kanzaki, Saga 842-0195, Japan. kei_matsumoto@research.otsuka.co.jp

Erratum in:

• Int J Sports Med. 2007 Jul;28(7):630.

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a single oral intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) with Arg on skeletal muscle protein metabolism during moderate exercise in young individuals. Eight healthy volunteers (4 males and 4 females, means +/- SEM, 26 +/- 1 yrs, 177.8 +/- 3.7 cm, 72.6 +/- 3.9 kg) were studied in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The subjects performed 3 bouts of 20-min cycling exercise (5-min break between each bout) at 126 +/- 13 W corresponding to 50 % of the maximal work intensity. A single oral supplement of either a BCAA drink containing 2 g of BCAA and 0.5 g of Arg or an isocaloric placebo drink was given at 10 min of the 1st exercise bout. Both arterial and venous blood samples were simultaneously taken from the radial artery and the femoral vein, respectively. Blood flow in the femoral artery was determined using the ultrasound Doppler technique. The blood sampling and blood flow measurements were performed at rest, every 10 min during each exercise bout. Net balance of BCAA and Phe across the leg muscles were measured by the arteriovenous difference method. The BCAA ingestion resulted in increases in both the plasma BCAA concentration and BCAA uptake into the working leg. The Phe release from the leg during exercise significantly increased as compared to the basal level in the placebo trial (0.97 +/- 0.28 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.22 micromol/min, p < 0.05). In the BCAA trial, the cumulative Phe release from the leg during the 3rd exercise bout was significantly lower than that in the placebo trial (5.0 +/- 7.4 vs. 35.9 +/- 13.2 micromol/25 min, p < 0.05). These results suggest that endurance exercise at moderate intensity enhances proteolysis in working muscles, and a single oral intake of 2 g of BCAA with Arg at onset of exercise effectively suppresses exercise-induced skeletal muscle proteolysis.

Ibuprofen administration during endurance training cancels running-distance-dependent adaptations of skeletal muscle in mice.

Machida M, Takemasa T.

Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan.

Abstract

Exercise training induces many adaptations in skeletal muscle, representative examples of which include an increase in the IIa myofibre and an increase in the capillary-to-fibre ratio (C:F ratio). Moreover, these phenomena are thought to be dependent on running distance. Ibuprofen is one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is often used as an analgesic, but its effect on skeletal muscle adaptation during endurance training is unclear. In the present study, therefore, we administered ibuprofen to mice during running wheel exercise for four weeks, and examined its effects on the increase in the IIa myofibre and the C:F ratio in skeletal muscle. We observed a significant increase of the IIa myofibre and C:F ratio even in the presence of ibuprofen. Moreover, in untreated mice, there was a significant positive and strong correlation between these parameters and running distance. These results indicate that the increase in the IIa myofibre and the C:F ratio in skeletal muscle usually depend on running distance. Interestingly, we observed no significant correlation between these parameters and running distance in ibuprofen-administered mice. Moreover, we found no significant increase of these parameters when the running distance was significantly increased, in comparison with untreated mice. These results indicate that ibuprofen administration during endurance training cancels running-distance-dependent adaptations in skeletal muscle. This suggests that even if ibuprofen administration facilitates longer-distance running, no further effects of training on skeletal muscle can be expected.

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011 Jan 28;8:6.

Food compensation: do exercise ads change food intake?

van Kleef E, Shimizu M, Wansink B.

Wageningen University, Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, the Netherlands. Ellen.vanKleef@wur.nl.

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND: Past research has shown that promotional messages such as food advertising influence food consumption. However, what has gone largely unexplored is the effect of exercise advertising on food intake. This study experimentally tested the effects of exposure to exercise commercials on food intake at a lunch meal as compared to the effects of control commercials.
METHODS: Prior to eating lunch, 125 participants (71 women, 54 men) watched 8 commercials, either all related to exercise or fitness (n = 67) or neutral products (i.e. car insurance) (n = 58). The meal consisted of a pasta dish with tomato sauce, salad and chocolate pudding. The post-lunch questionnaire included questions about body mass index, exercise habits, motivation and dietary restraint.
RESULTS: Participants exposed to exercise commercials reduced their caloric intake by 21.7% relative to the control condition. Additionally, watching exercise messages increased the perceived healthiness and liking of the meal. Although exercise habits and intentions did not moderate the effect of commercial condition on food intake, we also found that this intake reduction was driven by participants with higher body mass index levels.
CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that exercise messages may serve as a reminder of the link between food and physical activity and affect food consumption. It also highlights the need for increased awareness that these messages have powerful influences not only on exercise behavior, but also on closely related behaviors such as eating.