Wheat and Rice beyond Phenolic Acids: Genetics, Identification Database, Antioxidant Properties, and Potential Health Effects.

Wheat and rice play a vital role in human nutrition and food security. A better understanding of the potential health benefits associated with consuming these cereals, combined with studies by plant scientists and food chemists to view the entire food value chain from the field, pre and post-harvest processing, and subsequent "fork" consumption, may provide the necessary tools to optimize wheat and rice production towards the goal of better human health improvement and food security, providing tools to better adapt to the challenges associated with climate change. Since the available literature usually focuses on only one food chain segment, this narrative review was designed to address the identities and concentration of phenolics of these cereal crops from a farm-to-fork perspective. Wheat and rice genetics, phenolic databases, antioxidant properties, and potential health effects are summarized. These cereals contain much more than phenolic acids, having significant concentrations of flavonoids (including anthocyanins) and proanthocyanidins in a cultivar-dependent manner. Their potential health benefits in vitro have been extensively studied. According to a number of in vivo studies, consumption of whole wheat, wheat bran, whole rice, and rice bran may be strategies to improve health. Likewise, anthocyanin-rich cultivars have shown to be very promising as functional foods.

Effects of an interdisciplinary weight loss program on fibroblast growth factor 21 and inflammatory biomarkers in women with overweight and obesity

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effects of an interdisciplinary intervention on biomarkers of inflammation and their relationship with fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentrations in women with overweight and obesity. Subjects and methods: Thirty-one women were enrolled in a 12-week interdisciplinary weight loss program delivered by a team comprising an endocrinologist, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Body composition; anthropometric measures; metabolic and inflammatory markers including adiponectin, leptin, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were assessed at baseline and post-therapy. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the homeostasis model assessment of adiponectin (HOMA-AD) were calculated. The participants were divided into two groups: those with increased FGF21, and those with decreased FGF21. Results: The sample comprised women aged 32 ± 5 years with a body mass index of 33.64 ± 3.49 kg/m2. Body weight, waist circumference and leptin concentration were decreased in the whole sample after therapy. However, only the group with an increase in FGF21 concentration presented significant improvements in adiponectin concentration and adiponectin/leptin ratio. Moreover, although there was a reduction of leptin in both groups, it was greater in the increased FGF21 groups. There was a reduction in ANP in the decreased FGF21 group. Conclusions: Changes in FGF21 concentrations were different among the women participating in the weight loss program, with some having increased levels and some reduced levels. Furthermore, improvements in adiponectin and the adiponectin/leptin ratio were found only in the group with increased FGF21 concentration.

Effects of an interdisciplinary weight loss program on fibroblast growth factor 21 and inflammatory biomarkers in women with overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of an interdisciplinary intervention on biomarkers of inflammation and their relationship with fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentrations in women with overweight and obesity. METHODS: Thirty-one women were enrolled in a 12-week interdisciplinary weight loss program delivered by a team comprising an endocrinologist, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Body composition; anthropometric measures; metabolic and inflammatory markers including adiponectin, leptin, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were assessed at baseline and post-therapy. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the homeostasis model assessment of adiponectin (HOMA-AD) were calculated. The participants were divided into two groups: those with increased FGF21, and those with decreased FGF21. RESULTS: The sample comprised women aged 32 ± 5 years with a body mass index of 33.64 ± 3.49 kg/m2. Body weight, waist circumference and leptin concentration were decreased in the whole sample after therapy. However, only the group with an increase in FGF21 concentration presented significant improvements in adiponectin concentration and adiponectin/leptin ratio. Moreover, although there was a reduction of leptin in both groups, it was greater in the increased FGF21 groups. There was a reduction in ANP in the decreased FGF21 group. CONCLUSION: Changes in FGF21 concentrations were different among the women participating in the weight loss program, with some having increased levels and some reduced levels. Furthermore, improvements in adiponectin and the adiponectin/leptin ratio were found only in the group with increased FGF21 concentration.

Interdisciplinary therapy had positive effects on inflammatory state, mediated by leptin, adiponectin, and quality of diet in obese women.

INTRODUCTION: Background: obesity is a chronic disease associated with inadequate eating habits and reduced levels of physical activity. Because of obesity, the risk for comorbidities is increased, especially for cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, and increased pro-inflammatory factors. The aim of the present investigation was to analyze potential correlations between pro/anti-inflammatory adipokines, glycemic index, and other markers of diet quality using a metabolic profile in women undergoing interdisciplinary weight loss therapy. Methods: thirty-two women with obesity were enrolled in a 12-week program of interdisciplinary therapy combining a clinical, nutritional, and physical exercise approach. Body composition, quality of diet, metabolic profile, and pro/anti-inflammatory adipokines were analyzed. Results: the therapy showed to be effective in reducing body weight, body mass index, and body fat. There was also an improvement in lipid profile, including total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose metabolism, including glucose, and insulin. As for food intake, there was a decrease in calorie consumption, carbohydrates, lipids, and glycemic load, and an increased consumption of proteins. Positive correlations were demonstrated between insulin concentration and waist circumference; leptin and body fat and abdominal circumference; and LDL-cholesterol fraction and total cholesterol consumption. Negative correlations were demonstrated between leptin and monosaturated fat consumption; and adiponectin and liver enzyme GGT levels. Conclusions: interdisciplinary therapy had positive effects on inflammatory state, mediated by leptin, adiponectin, and quality of diet. Our findings suggest the effectiveness and clinical relevance of the interdisciplinary clinical therapy applied for obesity.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la obesidad es una enfermedad crónica asociada con hábitos alimentarios inadecuados y niveles reducidos de actividad física. Debido a la obesidad, el riesgo de comorbilidad aumenta, especialmente el de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la resistencia a la insulina y el aumento de los factores proinflamatorios. El objetivo investigación fue analizar las posibles correlaciones entre las adipocinas pro/antiinflamatorias, el índice glucémico y otros marcadores de calidad de la dieta con el perfil metabólico en mujeres sometidas a terapia interdisciplinaria para perder peso. Métodos: treinta y dos mujeres con obesidad participaron en 12 semanas de terapia interdisciplinaria en la que se combinaron los enfoques clínico, nutricional y de ejercicio físico. Se analizaron la composición corporal, la calidad de la dieta, el perfil metabólico y las adipocinas pro/antiinflamatorias. Resultados: la terapia demostró ser efectiva para reducir el peso corporal, el índice de masa corporal y la grasa corporal. También hubo una mejora del perfil lipídico, incluidos el colesterol total, el colesterol no HDL, el VLDL-colesterol , y el metabolismo de la glucosa, incluyendo la glucosa y la insulina. En cuanto a la ingesta de alimentos, hubo disminución en el consumo de calorías, carbohidratos, lípidos y carga glucémica, y aumento del consumo de proteínas. Se demostraron correlaciones positivas entre la concentración de insulina y la circunferencia de la cintura ; la leptina, la grasa corporal y la circunferencia abdominal, y la fracción de colesterol LDL y el consumo total de colesterol. Se demostraron correlaciones negativas entre la leptina y el consumo de grasa monosaturada, y la adiponectina y la enzima hepática GGT. Conclusiones: la terapia interdisciplinaria tuvo efectos positivos sobre el estado inflamatorio, mediado por la leptina, la adiponectina, y la calidad de la dieta. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren la efectividad y la relevancia clínica de la terapia clínica interdisciplinaria aplicada a la obesidad.

Hipertensão arterial sistêmica, medida de circunferência da cintura e consumo alimentar em adolescentes com diagnóstico antropométrico de obesidade / Arterial hypertension, waist circunference and food behavior in obese adolescents

A obesidade é importante epidemia mundial que atinge grande parte da população adulta. Analogamente, a população pediátrica também apresenta aumento na incidência de obesidade, o que predispõe o indivíduo a doenças que poderão reduzir sua expectativa e qualidade de vida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a relação entre obesidade, hipertensão arterial, circunferência da cintura e consumo alimentar em adolescentes. Realizamos estudo observacional e transversal, avaliando 98 adolescentes púberes e pós-púberes, sendo 49 adolescentes eutróficos e 49 obesos. A avaliação antropométrica incluiu as medidas de peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura. A avaliação do estado nutricional foi realizada utilizando-se o índice de Massa Corporal, conforme percentis, considerando-se a classificação do Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. O depósito de gordura central foi expresso como percentil da circunferência da cintura (cm). A medida de pressão foi aferida e avaliada considerando-se os limites do quarto relatório da Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children and Adolescents. Foi verificado o consumo alimentar por meio de questionário de freqüência alimentar qualitativo. O percentual de hipertensos foi maior no grupo obeso (38,7 por cento da amostra) do que no grupo eutrófico (2,0 por cento da amostra). Com relação à medida de circunferência da cintura, todos os adolescentes obesos tiveram esta medida acima do percentil 95, sendo que na amostra de controles, apenas 19 excederam esse percentil. O índice de Massa Corporal e circunferência da cintura correlacionaram-se significantemente com a pressão arterial. O consumo alimentar foi semelhante nos dois grupos estudados e a maior inadequação observada foi com relação aos alimentos reguladores e energéticos (ingestão deficiente em ambos grupos); por outro lado na categoria de alimentos construtores houve a maior aproximação dos valores recomendados na pirâmide dos alimentos. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que a hipertensão arterial atinge importante percentual de adolescentes e está, na maioria das vezes, associada à obesidade e adiposidade central. A alimentação inadequada também foi freqüente entre adolescentes e esse fator pode predispor os indivíduos ao desenvolvimento ou ao agravamento de doenças crônicas como obesidade e hipertensão.

Impact of the hypocaloric diet using food substitutes on the body weight and biochemical profile.

Recent studies using balanced hypocaloric diets with food substitutes in some meals, have presented positive results. There are no studies with the Brazilian population on the efficacy of using food substitute, together with a hypocaloric diet. Main objective of this study was to verify the effects of a hypocaloric diet using food substitutes as meal replacement on the body weight, lipid profile, and glucose and insulin plasma levels. Seventy eight subjects of both genders were selected, 20-50 years old, and a body weight index between 25 kg/m2 and 35 kg/m2. The study lasted for six months and it was divided in 2 phases of three months each- mass reduction for 3 months and 3 months for maintenance. The sample was randomly divided in two groups: Group A (control- 3 months of general nutritional and physical orientation followed by 3 months with 1 meal replacement) and Group B (intervention- 2 meals replacement a day plus nutritional and physical orientation for 3 months followed by 3 months with 1 meal replacement). Anthropometric measurements, percent body fat (%BF), biochemical profile and intake survey were performed at moments 0, 3 and 6 months. Both groups showed a significant decrease in %BF, weight, and consequently in their BMI, in the third and sixth month of follow up. However, weight loss in group B was higher than in group A. At the end of the treatment, 0 and 25.0% of the patients of the group A and B, respectively, presented a weight loss higher than 10% of the initial weight. Comparing the triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and glucose levels, between the beginning and after the three and six months of treatment, there was a significant reduction in the individuals only in group B. In conclusion, the use of food substitutes as meal replacement, together with a balanced, hypocaloric diet, proved to be efficient in weight loss for Brazilian overweighed individuals.