Lycopene supplemention and vascular function

-
Evidence from clinical trials, observational studies and in vitro studies suggest that the active carotenoid component in tomatoes - lycopene - may exert anti-atherogenic activity. Concerning possible implications for the human heart, it has been suggested that the anti-atherogenic activity of lycopene may play a role in vascular function and, in addition, the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In a recent double-blind, randomized, two-arm, prospective controlled study, the potential anti-atherogenic activity of lycopene was evaluated in vivo by monitoring forearm blood flow (FBF), arterial stiffness, blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac biomarkers.

The study screened ninety participants who had presented at the Clinical Pharmacology Unit: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Gajendragadkar et al. (2014) sought to 1. Investigate to which extent oral lycopene supplementation predicts vasculature in patients with (or without evidence of) CVD and 2. To determine the impact of oral lycopene supplementation on efficacy (Gajendragadkar et al., 2014). The researchers proposed that treatment with 7 mg was effective in improving endothelial function in both CVD patients and healthy volunteers.

Only those patients with stable CVD and those individuals who were free of CVD and “active renal, respiratory, neurological or oncological disease” (Gajendragadkar et al., 2014) at baseline and have met all eligibility criteria were randomized. In all, 72 patients met eligibility criteria. Patients were divided into two separate yet parallel arms and later randomized 2:1 to receive either acetylcholine sodium nitroprusside or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine injections. Gajendragadkar et al. (2014) found that administration of lycopene was predictive of cardiac vasculature. Review of data suggest that administration of lycopene results in significant efficacy improvements. Lycopene supplementation of 7 mg improved blood flow and decreased peripheral and central diastolic BP. However this was only demonstrated in CVD patients.
Though further research is needed these findings can help dietitians
  1. Understand how lycopene supplementation can augment endothelial function,
  2. Understand the extent to which lycopene predicts vasculature in patients with CVD to those without CVD, and
  3. Understand the effects of lycopene intervention on systemic markers of inflammation, BP, and arterial stiffness, and markers of oxidative stress.
Gajendragadkar, P., Hubsch, A., Maki-Petaja, K., Serg, M., Wilkinson, I., & Cheriyan, J. (2014). Effects of oral lycopene supplementation on vascular function in patients with cardiovascular disease and healthy volunteers: a randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE 9 (6), e99070.

CP

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more