The effects of low calorie, high protein diet on body composition, duration and sleep quality on obese adults: A randomized clinical trial.

Background and Aims: The effects of high-protein diets on regulating sleep have received research attention in recent decades. However, no studies have examined the effects of these diets in obese adults. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of low-calorie high protein diets on sleep quality in obese adults. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted on 60 obese adults (BMI > 29.9 kg/m2) diagnosed with low-quality sleep. All participants were given a diet with a 750-calorie energy deficit. While the control group was given a normal diet, the intervention group received a diet with 30% more protein. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the control group and intervention group with respect to sleep apnea at 30-, 60-, and 90-day follow-up (p < 0.01). Sleep quality, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), sleep latency (SL), and polysomnography were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05), showing an improvement in sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnea in the intervention group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that low-calorie high-protein diets can effectively improve apnea, sleep quality, and body composition indices in obese adults.

Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Serum Leptin Levels, Appetite Sensations, and Intake of Energy and Macronutrients in Obese People: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Obesity is a common health problem. Appetite is one of the main obesity-controlling factors that can be influenced by leptin. Leptin reduces food intake and accelerates energy expenditure. Leptin levels can be affected by dietary factors such as fats, special amino acids, and fructose. This study aimed to determine the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid n-3 (PUFA n-3) supplementation on serum leptin levels, appetite sensations, and dietary intakes in obese people. This study was performed on 60 obese individuals with body mass index (BMI) 30 (kg/m2) and above in 2012 in Tabriz, Iran. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (consumed two capsules containing 1 g/day n-3 fatty acids [180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA] for 4 weeks) and control groups. Serum leptin levels were assessed by ELISA method, and visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire was completed for evaluating appetite sensations. The mean caloric [before = 1,575.39 (600), after = 1,236.14 (448.40)] and macronutrient intakes were decreased significantly in the intervention group (p < .05). After adjusting for baseline serum leptin levels, age, and gender values, the fullness item significantly increased in the intervention group [before = 2 (1-5), after = 3 (1-5), p = .034]. In addition, BMI decreased and serum leptin levels increased nonsignificantly in the intervention group. According to the results, PUFA n-3 decreased energy and macronutrient intakes, probably through the modulating of satiety. The short period of study caused the nonsignificant changes in BMI and circulatory leptin. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC FERMENTED MILK (KEFIR) ON SERUM LEVEL OF INSULIN AND HOMOCYSTEINE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic fermented milk is one of the most beneficial foods. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotic fermented milk on the serum level of insulin and homocysteine in the type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: This study was done in 60 patients with type 2 diabetes. The intervention group received 600 mL of probiotic fermented milk (kefir) daily and control group received 600 mL of conventional fermented milk daily for 8 weeks. Food intake, anthropometric indices, serum parameters were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. The statistical analysis was done by the use of SPSS software (Ver.13). RESULTS: The mean of serum insulin level did not reduce significantly after the intervention in probiotic fermented milk group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The mean of HOMA-IR decreased significantly in probiotic fermented milk group after intervention and there was a significant difference between the two groups after intervention. The mean of quickie increased in probiotic fermented milk group, but this increase was not significant. Also, there was not significant difference between the two groups after intervention. The mean of homocysteine level decresead significantly in patients with probiotic fermented milk and conventional fermented milk consumption. CONCLUSIONS: By considering the effect of probiotic fermented milk on some risk factors of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients, probiotic foods may be useful as an adjuvant therapy in diabetic patients.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial related to the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters of obese women.

Obesity, the global epidemic health problem, results in chronic disorders. Melatonin supplementation may prevent the adverse health consequences of obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of melatonin supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in obese women. In randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 44 obese women were randomly assigned to melatonin (n=22) and placebo (n=22) groups. Subjects were supplemented with a daily dose of 6 mg melatonin or placebo with low calorie diet for 40 days. Serum TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP, TAC, and MDA levels were assessed before and after intervention. In the melatonin group, mean serum TNF-α, IL-6, hsCRP, and MDA levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 3.52±0.72 pg/ml, 27.12±6.32 pg/ml, 2.54±0.49 mg/l, and 3.81±0.29 nmol/l to 1.73±0.07, 16.34±6.32, 1.67±0.27, and 2.79±0.29, respectively. Whilst in the placebo group the decrease in values were not statistically significant. Mean TAC level increased slightly (from 1.11±0.30 to 1.14±0.45 mmol/l) in the melatonin group whereas it decreased slightly (from 1.13±0.15 to 1.08±0.21 nmol/l) in the placebo group. Significant differences were observed only for TNF-α (p=0.02) and IL-6 (p=0.03) between the 2 study groups. Considering the improvements in inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in obese women, it seems that melatonin supplementation may provide beneficial effects in obesity treatment by ameliorating some of its complications. However, further studies are needed to make concise conclusions.

Nutritional status of children hospitalized in Tabriz Paediatric Hospital, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2008.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children consecutively admitted as inpatients to Tabriz Paediatric Hospital in the north-west of the Islamic Republic of Iran between June and August 2008. A total of 140 children aged 2-12 years were included. Patients' weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) were measured, and nutritional status was evaluated. Evaluation of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and TSFT showed that 48.6%, 30.7%, 32.2% and 14.3% of the patients, respectively, were malnourished. Malnutrition among hospitalized children is worthy of attention, and effective strategies for systematic screening and treatment of malnutrition need to be developed and implemented.

Nutritional status of children hospitalized in Tabriz Paediatric Hospital, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2008

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children consecutively admitted as inpatients to Tabriz Paediatric Hospital in the north-west of the Islamic Republic of Iran between June and August 2008. A total of 140 children aged 2-12 years were included. Patients' weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness [TSFT] were measured, and nutritional status was evaluated. Evaluation of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and TSFT showed that 48.6%, 30.7%, 32.2% and 14.3% of the patients, respectively, were malnourished. Malnutrition among hospitalized children is worthy of attention, and effective strategies for systematic screening and treatment of malnutrition need to be developed and implemented

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein I405V polymorphism influences apolipoprotein A-I response to a change in dietary fatty acid composition.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) I405V polymorphism modifies the response to changes in the dietary ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat (P:S). The population included 85 healthy subjects with the different I405V genotypes (35 II, 36 IV, and 14 VV) assigned to two consecutive 28-day experimental period. All subjects consumed a high-P:S with P:S of 1.2 for the first period and a low-P:S with a P:S of 0.3 for the next 28-day period. At the first and end of each dietary period, serum lipid, lipoprotein, and CETP concentrations were measured. At screening, lipid or lipoprotein concentrations were not significantly different among CETP I405V genotype groups. After the low-P:S diet, subjects carrying V allele had greater reduction in apoA-I and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) than subjects with II genotype. A genotype-by-diet interaction effect was observed on apoA-I (p=0.016) concentrations. In conclusion, the CETP I405V polymorphism contributes to the unfavorable changes of apoA-I and HDL-C when a high-P:S diet was replaced with a low-P:S diet.