Aaron R. Caldwell

Novel Form of Curcumin Improves Endothelial Function in Young, Healthy Individuals: A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study

Curcumin, a turmeric extract, may protect against cardiovascular diseases by enhancing endothelial function. In this randomized controlled double-blind parallel prospective study, fifty-nine healthy adults were assigned to placebo, 50 mg (50 mg), or 200 mg (200 mg) curcumin, for 8 weeks. The higher curcumin (200 mg) supplementation produced a dose-mediated improvement in endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The outcome was a clinically substantial 3.0% increase (90% CI 0.7 to 5.3%, p = 0.032; benefit : harm odds ratio 546 : 1) with the 200 mg dose, relative to placebo. The 50 mg dose also increased FMD relative to placebo by 1.7% (−0.6 to 4.0%, p = 0.23; 25 : 1), but the outcome was not clinically decisive. In apparently healthy adults, 8 weeks of 200 mg oral curcumin supplementation resulted in a clinically meaningful improvement in endothelial function as measured by FMD. Oral curcumin supplementation may present a simple lifestyle strategy for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This trial was registered at ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN90184217).

A longitudinal study examining the effects of a season of American football on lipids and lipoproteins

BackgroundDyslipidemia is one factor cited for increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in American football players. However, American football players undergo physical conditioning which is known to influence lipids. This study examined if the physical activity of an American football season is associated with changes in lipids and if a relationship exists between lipids and body composition.MethodsFourteen division I freshmen American football players had blood drawn prior to summer training (T1), end of competition (T2), and end of spring training (T3). Samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TCHL), HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides (TG). Body composition was assessed via dual-x-ray absorptiometry. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) lipid categorization was used to characterize participants. Pearson correlations were computed to determine relationships.ResultsBody mass increased T2 (p = 0.008) as a result of increase in fat mass (p = 0.005) and remained high despite a decrease T3. Lean mass did not differ significantly at any time. No significant time effects were observed for lipids measured. The number of participants presenting with risk factors attributed to dyslipidemia varied. By T3, no participant was categorized as “low” for HDL-C. TCHL was moderately correlated (r = 0.60) with fat mass at T1; whereas a moderate correlation (r = −0.57) was observed between BMI and HDL-C at T2. TG was strongly correlated with fat mass at each time point (T1, r = 0.83; T2, r = 0.94; T3, r = 0.70).ConclusionThe physical activity associated with a season of football results in little change in blood lipids and CVD risk. Further, TG are strongly related to fat mass. Future research should focus on examining the cause of dyslipidemia in American football players.

The effect of meal composition on postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1 response in overweight/obese participants

Background Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone secreted in the intestine in response to food intake. GLP-1 may be responsible for nearly 50% of insulin secretion. Postprandial GLP-1 secretion may be impaired in overweight/obese (OW/O) individuals and in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Meals high in protein (HP) or high in monounsaturated fat (HMF) may increase GLP-1 response. However, there are no studies directly comparing HP with HMF meals on postprandial GLP-1 response.