The Weight Loss Effects of Branched Chain Amino Acids and Vitamin B6: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Obese and Overweight Women.

Branched chain amino acids (BCAA), with vitamin B6 have been reported to improve fat metabolism and muscle synthesis. We hypothesized that supplementation with BCAA and vitamin B6 would result in more weight loss and improve body composition and blood markers related to cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to determine whether the mentioned supplementation would affect weight loss, body composition, and cardiovascular risk factors during weight loss intervention. To this end, we performed a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in 42 overweight and obese women (BMI = 25-34.9 kg/m2). Taking a four-week moderate deficit calorie diet (-500 kcal/day), participants were randomized to receive BCAA (6 g/day) with vitamin B6 (40 mg/day) or placebo. Body composition variables measured with the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis, homeostatic model assessment, and plasma insulin, Low density lipoprotein, High density lipoprotein, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, and fasting blood sugar were measured. The result indicated that, weight loss was not significantly affected by BCAA and vitamin B6 supplementation (-2.43 ± 1.02 kg) or placebo (-1.64 ± 1.48 kg). However, significant time × treatment interactions in waist to hip ratio (P = 0.005), left leg lean (P = 0.004) and right leg lean (P = 0.023) were observed. Overall, supplementation with BCAA and vitamin B6 could preserve legs lean and also attenuated waist to hip ratio.

Effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on inflammatory markers and muscle damage indices of soccer players after a simulated soccer match.

OBJECTIVES: Soccer-induced muscle damage and inflammation lead to a reduction in athletic performance. The aim of this study was to determine whether supplementation with cholecalciferol would reduce inflammation and muscle damage in soccer players after a simulated soccer match. METHODS: Twenty-two soccer players (median age 27 y, interquartile range 5 y) were divided randomly into two groups, as follows: a cholecalciferol group (n = 11) and a placebo group (n = 11). Cholecalciferol supplements (50 000 IU/wk) or placebos were administered to the groups by an independent co-worker. After 8 wk, the athletes participated in a simulated soccer match, and perceived exertion and heart rates were measured during the trial. Blood samples were obtained presupplementation, postsupplementation, immediately after, and 2- and 24-h postexercise for measurement of lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6. RESULTS: The intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (53.93, 10.68 ng/mL, P < 0.0001), which is the best indicator of vitamin D levels in the body, with no change in the circulating markers of muscle damage and CRP (P ˃ 0.05) but showed increased IL-6 (P = 0.034). In addition, the ratings of perceived exertion and heart rates were not altered by vitamin D compared with placebo ingestion (P = 0.155 versus P = 0.261; P = 0.600 versus P = 0.983). CONCLUSION: The study showed that 50 000 IU/wk of cholecalciferol supplementation for 8 wk increased the 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, with no effect on muscle damage indices or CRP. However, The IL-6 concentration was generally higher in the intervention group.

Prevalence, influencing factors and control of food insecurity: a model in the northwest of Iran.

Food insecurity is frequent in both developed and developing countries, affecting from 5% to 25% of the general population. The aim of this study was to assess food insecurity, its influencing factors and control measures in the northwest of Iran. A total population of 15,070 (2,911 households) were studied. A short questionnaire was used for the screening of food insecurity and energy intake in this study. After the screening programme, those families identified as having food insecurity were recruited for the second part of the study which was a community trial. We organized small training campaigns (through peer education) for target households. Six months later, the same techniques were applied again to assess the impact of educational intervention in reducing the rate of food insecurity. Total prevalence of food insecurity in the study population was 59.3 percent (95% confidence interval: 57.4-61.3). Logistic regression showed that apart from the mother's age and smoking status of the head of the family, there was a significant association between household food insecurity and other variables in the model (mainly economic factors). The prevalence of food insecurity reduced by 7.3 percent after the intervention (p>0.10). The high prevalence of food insecurity in this study indicates that there is an urgent need for a close collaboration between governmental, international and local leadership to identify and implement the key interventional programmes to overcome this ever increasing health problem. According to our findings, a special attention should be paid on the economic improvement in the region.