Viscous dietary fiber reduces adiposity and plasma leptin and increases muscle expression of fat oxidation genes in rats.

Dietary interventions that reduce accumulation of body fat are of great interest. Consumption of viscous dietary fibers cause well-known positive metabolic effects, such as reductions in the postprandial glucose and insulin concentrations. However, their effect on body composition and fuel utilization has not been previously studied.

Influences of a dietary supplement in combination with an exercise and diet regimen on adipocytokines and adiposity in women who are overweight.

The influence of a proprietary blend of modified cellulose and cetylated fatty acids (Trisynextrade mark, Imagenetix, Inc., San Diego, CA 92127, USA) on adipocytokine and regional body composition responses to a weight loss program was examined. Twenty-two women (Supplement group (S) (n = 11): age = 36.

A cetylated fatty acid topical cream with menthol reduces pain and improves functional performance in individuals with arthritis.

This investigation was an extension of a previous study conducted in our laboratory in which we showed that 1 month of treatment with a topical cream (Celadrin) consisting of cetylated fatty acids was effective for reducing pain and improving functional performance in individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee (Kraemer et al., Journal of Rheumatology, 2004). We wanted to verify that the addition of menthol to the compound would produce a similar percentage of improvement in therapeutic effects.

Effects of treatment with a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on static postural stability and plantar pressure distribution in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of 30 days of treatment with a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids on static postural stability and plantar pressures in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of one or both knees. Forty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 topical treatment groups: (a) cetylated fatty acid (CFA; N = 20; age = 62.7 +/- 11.

Effect of a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on functional mobility and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To examine the effect of a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids on functional performance in patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of one or both knees.

Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to one of 2 topical treatment groups: (1) cetylated fatty acid (CFA) (n = 20; age 62.7 +/- 11.

Effect of supplemental phytonutrients on impairment of the flow-mediated brachial artery vasoactivity after a single high-fat meal.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine if long-term daily administration of phytonutrient supplements can prevent the immediate adverse impact of a high-fat meal and increase the production of nitric oxide.

Background: Ingestion of a high-fat meal impairs flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery for at least 4 h; however, co-ingestion of vitamin antioxidants or a green salad has been shown to prevent this effect.

Methods: Flow-mediated brachial artery reactivity test (BART) both before and 3 h after a 900 calorie 50 g fat meal was evaluated in 38 healthy volunteers (age 36.

A glucomannan and chitosan fiber supplement decreases plasma cholesterol and increases cholesterol excretion in overweight normocholesterolemic humans.

Objective: Both chitosan and glucomannan have demonstrated hypocholesterolemic effects. A recent study in rats indicates that the combination of the two is also a potent hypocholesterolemic agent that increases fecal fat excretion. The objective of the present study was to determine the hypocholesterolemic effect of a supplement containing equal amounts of chitosan and glucomannan on blood lipid concentrations and fecal excretion of fat, neutral sterols and bile acids.

Cetylated fatty acids improve knee function in patients with osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine the benefit of cetylated fatty acids (CFA) on knee range of motion and function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Sixty-four patients with chronic knee OA were evaluated at baseline and at 30 and 68 days after consuming either placebo (vegetable oil; n = 31) or CFA (Celadrin; n = 33). Evaluations included physician assessment, knee range of motion with goniometry, and the Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI).

Effects of an 8-week weight-loss program on cardiovascular disease risk factors and regional body composition.

Objective: To determine the influence of weight loss on multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Design: Overweight women (n = 12; mean 44.2% fat) and men (n = 10; mean 30.

Oxidative stress in humans training in a cold, moderate altitude environment and their response to a phytochemical antioxidant supplement.

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of an antioxidant mixture containing vitamin E, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl 1-cysteine, catechin, lutein, and lycopene to reduce oxidative stress in US Marines undergoing 24 days of cold-weather field training at a moderate altitude.

Methods: Forty physically active male volunteers (ages 18-40) were randomly assigned to a treatment (antioxidant) group (n = 21) or a control (placebo) group (n = 19). Breath pentane (BP), serum lipid hydroperoxides (LPO), urine malondialdehyde (MDA), urine 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and serum and urine oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) were measured as indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant status.

Cholesterol reduction by glucomannan and chitosan is mediated by changes in cholesterol absorption and bile acid and fat excretion in rats.

Glucomannan, a viscous polysaccharide, and chitosan, a derivative of chitin, have both been demonstrated to lower cholesterol in animals. However, the mechanism of cholesterol lowering has not been established for either material. This study was conducted to determine the effect of glucomannan (G), chitosan (CH), or an equal mixture of the two (G + CH) on cholesterol absorption and fat and bile acid excretion.

Safety and efficacy evaluation of a fitness club weight-loss program.

It is well documented that excess weight is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, and, despite considerable expenditure of time, money, and effort, little or no progress has been made in reversing the trend toward increased weight. Although fitness and athletic clubs offer one potential for tackling this problem, few provide information about the efficacy of their weight-loss programs. There is general agreement that an efficacious weight-loss program should reduce body fat, maintain or increase fat-free mass (FFM), and lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Hydration assessment during cold-weather military field training exercises.

To quantify the magnitude of dehydration and to identify predictors of dehydration by utilizing changes in total body water (TBW), 24 male Marines were studied during an 8d moderately cold-weather (1-3 degrees C) training exercise. Training consisted of approximately 12 h/d of moderately intense activity. Variables examined included body composition, TBW, and various blood and urinary parameters indicative of hydration.

Thyroid hormone responses to military winter exercises in the Arctic region.

The effects of military field exercises in the arctic on thyroid hormone concentrations were examined in Norwegian soldiers (n = 35). Originally the soldiers were divided into 4 groups having low (2 h) or high (6 h) levels of daily sleep, and low or high physical work requirements during the field exercises. The operations were three days of stimulated combat scenarios during winter.

Dietary effects on exercising muscle metabolism and performance by 31P-MRS.

To determine how diet modulates short-term exercise capacity, skeletal muscle pH and bioenergetic state were examined by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in nine healthy volunteers. Subjects performed incremental quadriceps exercise to exhaustion after 5 days of high-carbohydrate (HCHO) or high-fat (HFAT) diet randomly assigned in crossover fashion and separated by a 2.5-day period of ad libitum mixed diet.

Changes in serum triiodothyronine kinetics and hepatic type I 5'-deiodinase activity of cold-exposed swine.

Swine exposed to cold air have elevated serum values of total triiodothyronine (TT3) and free T3 (FT3). To characterize the mechanism of these increases, we measured in vivo kinetic parameters after a bolus intravenous injection of 125I-labeled T3 by use of both multicompartmental (MC) and noncompartmental (NC) methods and in vitro hepatic type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'D-I) activity. Ten ad libitum-fed 5-mo-old boars were divided into two groups, living for 25 days in either control (22 degrees C) or cold (4 degrees C) conditions.

Effects of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race on serum thyroid hormones and body composition.

Cold exposure, activity and energy deficit have been associated with changes in body composition and/or changes in serum thyroid hormones. Because these conditions are present during the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, 10 volunteer participants were studied before and after the race. Body composition, total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), and free triiodothyronine (FT) levels were determined.

Human cold air habituation is independent of thyroxine and thyrotropin.

Thyroxine (T4) is required in species possessing brown adipose tissue (BAT) for the maintenance of cold tolerance and adaptation. In humans, who possess negligible quantities of BAT, the importance of T4 has not been demonstrated. We studied the effects of decreased serum T4 and thyrotropin (TSH) on human cold habituation after repeated cold air exposures.

Norwegian military field exercises in the arctic: cognitive and physical performance.

In an effort to determine whether or not field living conditions degrade performance during cold weather military training, performance of 17 Norwegian Army soldiers living in tents in the field (FG) was compared with that of 13 soldiers living in barracks (GG). FG and GG performed similar tasks and were equipped and clothed identically. Each subject was tested prior to and following 9 days of field training.

Adrenergic responses to cognitive activity in a cold environment.

Adrenergic responses during physical stress such as cold exposure have been reported to differ from those responses observed during cognitive activity. Both the separate and the combined effects of cold and cognitive activity on catecholamine activity were examined in six male subjects. Alterations in plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine showed different patterns as a function of exposure to a 4 degrees C cold environment, a cognitive performance assessment battery (PAB), and the two conditions combined.

Radio frequency (13.56 MHz) energy enhances recovery from mild hypothermia.

The rate of warming after hypothermia depends on the method of rewarming. This study compared the effectiveness of radio frequency (RF) energy against hot (41 degrees C) water immersion (HW) and an insulated cocoon (IC) for rewarming hypothermic men. Six men fasted overnight and were rewarmed for 1 h after attaining a 0.