A new report featured in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal (The FASEB Journal) suggests that high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions could be attributed to inflammation caused by nutrient-deficiencies.
For the study, researchersembarked on three clinical trials where they introduced a fruit-based nutrient-dense bar into the diets of 43 lean and overweight/obese individuals over a two-month period.
Participants discontinued any supplements for a two-week period prior to commencing the study, but continued with their regular dietary and physical activity patterns. Each participant consumed two bars daily; blood samples and measurements were taken at baseline and the two-week and eight-week marks.
Researchers discovered improvements in both lean and overweight/obese individuals. More specifically, improvements in cholesterol levels, blood fat, insulin resistance, blood pressure, and weight and waist circumference were evident in overweight/obese individuals with low levels of inflammation. Among those with higher levels of inflammation at baseline—inflammation diminished at the two-week and eight-week marks, likely allowing for further improvements in the future.
According to Bruce Ames, a professor emeritus of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of California, “…a relatively easy intervention with something like the nutrient bar used in this study may help people to realize the positive impact that a diet with adequate nutrition can have in their daily lives, which may be a stronger incentive for change.”
Sources for Today’s Article:
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, “Want to improve your health? Focus on nutrition and not weight: Chronic inflammation from diets deficient in nutrients contribute to weight regardless of the intake of macronutrients,” ScienceDaily web site August 5, 2015; www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150805110202.htm.
McCann, J.C., “A multicomponent nutrient bar promotes weight loss and improves dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in the overweight/obese: chronic inflammation blunts these improvements,” The FASEB Journal 2015; 29 (8): 3287 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-271833