Intake of partially defatted Brazil nut flour reduces serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients--a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid hormones can lower levels of atherogenic lipoproteins, and selenium is important in thyroid hormone homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the effects of a healthy diet associated with the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) in dyslipidemic and hypertensive patients. METHODS: This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Seventy-seven dyslipidemic and hypertensive patients already receiving lipid-lowering drugs received either a dietary treatment associated with partially defatted Brazil nut flour (13 g/day providing 227,5 µg of selenium/day),or with dyed cassava flour as a placebo. All patients received a personalized dietary guideline with nutritional recommendations for dyslipidemia and hypertension and were followed for 90 days. RESULTS: The Brazil nut group showed reductions in total cholesterol (-20.5 ± 61.2 mg/dL, P = 0.02), non HDL-cholesterol (-19.5 ± 61.2 mg/dL, P = 0.02) and Apo A-1 (-10.2 ± 26.7 mg/dL, P = 0.03) without significant alterations in the Apo B/Apo A-1 ratio. The placebo group showed a reduction in FT3 levels (-0.1 ± 0.4, P = 0.03) and increased Lp(a) levels (5.9 ± 18.0 mg/dL, P = 0.02). There were no statistical differences in blood pressure and serum lipids between Brazil nut and placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with Brazil nuts seems to favor the maintenance of FT3 levels and contributes to lipemia reduction in hypercholesterolemic and euthyroid patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01990391.

The association of selenium status with thyroid hormones and anthropometric values in dyslipidemic patients.

BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that performs physiological functions in the metabolism of thyroid hormone and may have an association with anthropometric variables relevant to cardiovascular disease. AIM: To study the associations between Se status, thyroid hormones and anthropometric variables in dyslipidemic patients. METHODS: Eighty-three patients were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were analyzed for Se and thyroid hormones. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and dietary Se intake was investigated. RESULTS: Mean plasma Se concentrations were low in the patients, at 88.7 ± 16.7 µg/L. Patients with plasma Se ≥ 95 µg/L were found to have a higher body mass index (BMI) (30.74 ± 4.31 vs 27.68 ± 5.63 kg/m2, P = 0.02) and waist-to-height ratio (0.65 ± 0.05 vs 0.59 ± 0.07, P = 0.003) when compared to those with concentrations between 80 and 94 µg/L. Se intake associated positively with T3L/T4L ratio (r = 0.273; P= 0.03), BMI (r= 0.257, P= 0.04) and WC (r= 0.299, P= 0.02). CONCLUSION: The patients with the highest normal plasma Se concentrations were found to have increases in the anthropometric variables we investigated. There is a need for further study in order to elucidate these findings. Furthermore, we found a positive association between Se intake and the most metabolically active form of the thyroid hormones.

Contexto: El selenio (Se) es un micronutriente esencial que realiza las funciones fisiológicas en el metabolismo de la hormona tiroidea y pueden tener una asociación con las variables antropométricas pertinentes a la enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivo: Estudiar la asociación entre el estado de Se, hormonas tiroideas y las variables antropométricas en pacientes con dislipidemia. Métodos: Ochenta y tres pacientes fueron evaluados en un estudio transversal. Se analizaron muestras de sangre para Se y hormonas tiroideas. Las medidas antropométricas fueron tomadas, y la ingesta de la dieta Se fue investigado. Resultados: La media de las concentraciones de Se en plasma fueron bajas en los pacientes, a 88,7 ± 16,7 mg / l. Se encontró que los pacientes con niveles plasmáticos de Se ≥ 95 mg / L de tener un índice de masa corporal (IMC) (30.74 ± 4.31 vs 27.68 ± 5.63 kg / m 2, P = 0,02) y la relación cintura-estatura (0,65 ± 0,05 vs 0,59 ± 0,07, P = 0,003) en comparación con aquellos con concentraciones entre 80 y 94 g / l. Ingesta de Se asoció positivamente con relación T3L / T4L (r = 0,273, p = 0,03), índice de masa corporal (r = 0,257, P = 0,04) y WC (r = 0,299, P = 0,02). Conclusión: Se encontró que los pacientes con las más altas concentraciones de Se en plasma normal tener incrementos en las variables antropométricas que investigamos. Hay una necesidad de un mayor estudio para dilucidar estos hallazgos. Además, se encontró una asociación positiva entre el consumo de Se y la forma más metabólicamente activa de las hormonas tiroideas.

Microencapsulated conjugated linoleic acid associated with hypocaloric diet reduces body fat in sedentary women with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have suggested beneficial effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in reducing body fat mass and improvement in the serum lipid profile and glycemia. However, these effects are controversial in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of microencapsulated CLA supplementation on body composition, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure in sedentary women with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This study was a placebo-controlled and randomized clinical trial. Fourteen women diagnosed with metabolic syndrome received light strawberry jam enriched or not with microencapsulated CLA (3 g/day) as a mixture of 38.57% cis-9, trans-11, and 39.76% trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomers associated with a hypocaloric diet for 90 days. The subjects were monitored to assess variables associated with the metabolic syndrome, in addition to assessing adherence with the intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant effects of microencapsulated CLA on the lipid profile or blood pressure. Mean plasma insulin concentrations were significantly lower in women supplemented with microencapsulated CLA (Δ T90 - T0 = -12.87 ± 4.26 µU/mL, P = 0.02). Microencapsulated CLA supplementation did not alter the waist circumference, but there was a reduction in body fat mass detected after 30 days (Δ = -2.68% ± 0.82%, P = 0.02), which was maintained until the 90-day intervention period (Δ = -3.32% ± 1.41%, P = 0.02) in the microencapsulated CLA group. The placebo group showed this effect only after 90 days (Δ = -1.97% ± 0.60%, P = 0.02), but had a reduced waist circumference (Δ T90 - T0 = -4.25 ± 1.31 cm, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with mixed-isomer microencapsulated CLA may have a favorable effect on glycemic control and body fat mass loss at an earlier time in sedentary women with metabolic syndrome, although there were no effects on lipid profile and blood pressure.