Effects of mixed nuts as part of a Brazilian Cardioprotective diet on LDL-cholesterol in adult patients after myocardial infarction: a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Nuts consumption is related to cardioprotective effects on primary cardiovascular prevention, but studies conducted in secondary prevention are small, scarce and controversial. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of a regional and sustainable cardioprotective diet added or not with an affordable mixed nuts on cardiometabolic features in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

Methods: DICA-NUTS study is a national, multi-center, and superiority-parallel randomized clinical trial.

Factors associated with diet quality among Brazilian individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

Background: An individual's dietary pattern contributes in different ways to the prevention and control of recurrent cardiovascular events. However, the quality of the diet is influenced by several factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of the diet of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and determine whether there is an association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Effects of Whey Protein Isolate on Body Composition, Muscle Mass, and Strength of Chronic Heart Failure Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Heart failure (HF) is associated with a reduction of skeletal muscle mass. Whey protein isolate (WPI) has been beneficial in increasing muscle mass and strength, in addition to improving body composition. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of WPI on the body composition, muscle mass, and strength of chronic HF patients.

Long-Term Association between Intensive Medical Treatment and the Incidence of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Dyslipidemia: an Observational Study.

Introduction: The management of patients with dyslipidemia (DLP) requires intensive medical follow-up as an essential part of treatment and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether adherence to medical treatment changed the prevalence of CV disease events in a retrospective 7-year follow-up analysis.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 92 patients divided into two groups according to their adherence: the REG group with 64 patients who had medical appointments from 2012 to 2018, and the DROP group, with 28 patients who had medical appointments in 2012 but did not complete regular appointments until 2018.

Effects of a Brazilian cardioprotective diet and nuts on cardiometabolic parameters after myocardial infarction: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Nut consumption has been related to improvements on cardiometabolic parameters and reduction in the severity of atherosclerosis mainly in primary cardiovascular prevention. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effects of the Brazilian Cardioprotective Diet (DIeta CArdioprotetora Brasileira, DICA Br) based on consumption of inexpensive locally accessible foods supplemented or not with mixed nuts on cardiometabolic features in patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: DICA-NUTS study is a national, multicenter, randomized 16-week follow-up clinical trial.

Lifestyle Medicine During (and After) the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it challenging for individuals and families to maintain a healthy lifestyle, quality of life, and well-being. Preliminary evidence have suggested that higher odds of both mortality and severity of the COVID-19 are closely associated to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Thus, in an effort to contribute to this challenging global situation, we joined a group of lifestyle medicine researchers and/or practitioners to provide scientifically sound information, recommendations, resources, and suggestions related to the main pillars of lifestyle medicine (healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, tobacco/alcohol, stress management, relationships, and planetary health) that may help health practitioners to support clients and patients maintain a healthy lifestyle during (and after) the COVID-19 crisis.

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial.

Background: Appropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD.

Methods: In this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group).

Whey protein supplementation for the preservation of mass and muscular strength of patients with heart failure: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is an important public health problem, considered a new epidemic with high morbidity and mortality. The progression of HF often determines weight reduction, muscle mass loss, and reduced physical ability. Whey protein supplementation may increase the effects of exercise on strength and muscle mass, in addition to promoting improved endothelial function, body composition and quality of life.

Clinical, Anthropometric and Biochemical Characteristics of Patients with or without Genetically Confirmed Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant disorder, characterized by a high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a high risk of premature cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and anthropometric characteristics of patients with the familiar hypercholesterolemia (FH) phenotype, with or without genetic confirmation of FH.

Methods: Forty-five patients with LDL-C > 190 mg/dl were genotyped for six FH-related genes: LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1, LIPA and APOE.

Microvascular Function and Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Severe Hypercholesterolemia and the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Phenotype.

Objective: To evaluate endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and systemic microvascular function in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia, comparing patients with the definite familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) phenotype (DFH) or probable/possible FH phenotype (PFH). There is a large spectrum of atherosclerotic disease between these two clinical phenotypes of FH, and to acquire further knowledge of the pathophysiology of vascular disease in both is desirable.

Methods: Subjects with severe hypercholesterolemia, defined as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >190 mg/dL, were classified as DFH or PFH and underwent measurement of the number of EPCs by flow cytometry and evaluation of cutaneous microvascular reactivity using a laser speckle contrast-imaging system with iontophoresis of acethylcholine (ACh) or sodium nitroprusside.

"Metabolically Healthy" Obesity: Fact or Threat?

Introduction: Obesity is a serious, worldwide and growing problem, with associated complications ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer. It has been suggested that a subgroup of obese patients- the "metabolically healthy" (MH)- would constitute a phenotype whose cardiovascular risk would be closer to that of normal weight individuals and lower than that of obese patients with other risk factors. The definitions of MH obesity are heterogeneous, what makes the estimation of its prevalence quite difficult.

Effects of the Intake of Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) and Derivatives on Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review.

This study is aimed at assessing the scientific evidence on the effect of the intake of sesame seeds and derivatives on oxidative stress of individuals with systemic hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A systematic review was conducted in seven databases (Lilacs, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Trip Database, and Scielo) from September 2013 to January 2014. Clinical trials on the intake of sesame seeds and derivatives assessing the outcomes related to oxidative stress were retrieved.

The effect of dietary intake of sesame (Sesamumindicum L.) derivatives related to the lipid profile and blood pressure: A systematic review.

In this systematic review, we discuss the scientific evidence about the effect of dietary intake of seeds and sesame derivatives on lipid profile and blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive and dyslipidemic individuals. Clinical trials published in English, Portuguese or Spanish were searched on the following databases: Lilacs, PubMed, Isi Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Trip Data Base and Scielo. The bibliographic search period was started in September 2013 and ended in January 2014.

The Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program to reduce events and risk factors in secondary prevention for cardiovascular disease: study protocol (The BALANCE Program Trial).

This article reports the rationale for the Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program (BALANCE Program) Trial. This pragmatic, multicenter, nationwide, randomized, concealed, controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of the BALANCE Program in reducing cardiovascular events. The BALANCE Program consists of a prescribed diet guided by nutritional content recommendations from Brazilian national guidelines using a unique nutritional education strategy, which includes suggestions of affordable foods.

A COCONUT EXTRA VIRGIN OIL-RICH DIET INCREASES HDL CHOLESTEROL AND DECREASES WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE AND BODY MASS IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS.

Introduction: saturated fat restriction has been recommended for coronary arterial disease, but the role of coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) extra virgin, lauric acid source in the management of lipid profile remains unclear.

Objective: to evaluate the effect of nutritional treatment associated with the consumption of extra virgin coconut oil in anthropometric parameters and lipid profile.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Brazil Nuts on Microvascular Endothelial Function in Hypertensive and Dyslipidemic Patients: A Randomized Crossover Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with GBNs on microvascular endothelial function in hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients.

Methods: Ninety-one patients of both sexes aged 62.1 ± 9.

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.

Improvement of antioxidant status after Brazil nut intake in hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of partially defatted Granulated Brazil nut (GBN) on biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status of hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients on nutrition and drug approaches.

Methods: Ninety one hypertensive and dyslipidemic subjects of both genders (51.6 % men), mean age 62.

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.

Vitis vinifera L. grape skin extract activates the insulin-signalling cascade and reduces hyperglycaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Objectives: This study examined the effect of Vitis vinifera grape skin extract (ACH09) on hyperglycaemia and the insulin-signalling cascade in alloxan-treated mice.

Methods: Glycaemia, serum insulin and Western blot analysis of insulin cascade proteins were evaluated in the gastrocnemius muscles of four groups of adult mice: control, ACH09 (200 mg/kg per day, p.o.

Trans fatty acids in maternal milk lead to cardiac insulin resistance in adult offspring.

Objective: Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are derived from vegetable oil hydrogenation and can be found in most manufactured food products. Our main objective was to evaluate the effects of TFA consumption by lactating dams on cardiac glucose metabolism of adult offspring by analyzing glucose transporter-4 in the left ventricle. To investigate the energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and hepatic glycogen content were also measured.