Publications by authors named "KC Maki"
Background: Results from observational studies suggest associations of red meat intake with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, RCTs have not clearly demonstrated a link between red meat consumption and CVD risk factors. Further, the specific effects of beef, the most consumed red meat in the United States, have not been extensively investigated.
Objectives: This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT data evaluating the effects of minimally or unprocessed beef intake on CVD risk factors in adults.
Dietary guidance is based on a robust evidence base that includes high-quality clinical trials, of which some have been designed to establish causal relationships between dietary interventions and ASCVD risk reduction. However, the complexity associated with conducting these trials has resulted in criticism of nutrition and dietary recommendations because the strength and quality of evidence falls short of that for some pharmaceutical interventions. In this paper, we aim to promote greater awareness of the nutrition-related clinical trials that have been conducted showing ASCVD benefits and how this evidence has contributed to dietary recommendations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Statins are the primary medication for lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), but some patients experience muscle-related side effects known as statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS).
- Recent guidelines from organizations like the National Lipid Association provide strategies for doctors to identify and manage patients with SAMS, as this is the most common reason for statin intolerance.
- Many patients can still tolerate some statin therapy, and when combined with non-statin medications, an effective treatment plan can be created through open discussions between clinicians and patients to lower the risk of heart disease.
Article Synopsis
- This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bitter melon extract on blood sugar levels in adults with prediabetes over 12 weeks.
- Participants were divided into groups receiving low-dose (300 mg) or high-dose (600 mg) bitter melon extract, or a placebo.
- Results showed that both bitter melon groups had smaller increases in blood glucose compared to the control group, suggesting that bitter melon may be beneficial for managing glucose levels in individuals with prediabetes.
Article Synopsis
- Protein is the most thermogenic macronutrient, and a meta-analysis aimed to understand how varying amounts and types of protein affect diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).
- Out of 3894 studies initially identified, 52 were included; results showed that higher protein meals led to significantly greater DIT and TDEE in short-term studies, primarily in participants of normal weight.
- In long-term studies, higher protein diets increased TDEE and resting energy expenditure but did not show differences in DIT; types of protein did not affect energy metabolism.
Epidemiological and clinical trial evidence indicates that -6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake is cardioprotective. Nevertheless, claims that -6 PUFA intake promotes inflammation and oxidative stress prevail. This narrative review aims to provide health professionals with an up-to-date evidence overview to provide the requisite background to address patient/client concerns about oils containing predominantly unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), including MUFA and PUFA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) is of commercial interest for immune support as a food ingredient. The objective was to evaluate the immunogenicity/alloimmunization potential of Helaina rhLF (effera™) from over a 28-day period compared to bovine LF (bLF). Study 1 was a randomized, double-blind, parallel arm, controlled trial where 66 healthy adults were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups: high-dose rhLF (3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Imperative to Enhance Cost-Effectiveness for Cardiovascular Therapeutic Development.
JACC Basic Transl Sci
August 2024
Article Synopsis
- Cardiovascular disease is a major global health issue and the top cause of death, making the development of therapeutic agents essential for reducing risks associated with it.
- Increasing costs and challenges in regulatory processes are leading to fewer cardiovascular treatments being introduced into the market, creating a strain on pharmaceutical companies.
- The paper explores ways to make cardiovascular drug development more cost-effective, addressing the issue of long and expensive cardiovascular outcomes trials that delay patient access to new treatments.
This National Lipid Association (NLA) Expert Clinical Consensus provides an overview of the physiologic and clinical considerations regarding the role of apolipoprotein B (apoB) measurement to guide clinical care based on the available scientific evidence and expert opinion. ApoB represents the total concentration of atherogenic lipoprotein particles in the circulation and more accurately reflects the atherogenic burden of lipoproteins when compared to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). ApoB is a validated clinical measurement that augments the information found in a standard lipoprotein lipid panel; therefore, there is clinical value in using apoB in conjunction with a standard lipoprotein lipid profile when assessing risk and managing lipid-lowering therapy (LLT).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This joint expert review by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and National Lipid Association (NLA) provides clinicians an overview of the pathophysiologic and clinical considerations regarding obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Methods: This joint expert review is based upon scientific evidence, clinical perspectives of the authors, and peer review by the OMA and NLA leadership.
Results: Among individuals with obesity, adipose tissue may store over 50% of the total body free cholesterol.
Background: This joint expert review by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and National Lipid Association (NLA) provides clinicians an overview of the pathophysiologic and clinical considerations regarding obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Methods: This joint expert review is based upon scientific evidence, clinical perspectives of the authors, and peer review by the OMA and NLA leadership.
Results: Among individuals with obesity, adipose tissue may store over 50% of the total body free cholesterol.
There is an increasing body of evidence supporting a link between low intakes of ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and numerous diseases and health conditions. However, few people are achieving the levels of fish/seafood or eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid intake recommended in national and international guidelines. Knowledge of a person's ω-3 LCPUFA status will benefit the interpretation of research results and could be expected to lead to an increased effort to increase intake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: There is substantial inter-individual variability in response to weight loss interventions and emerging evidence suggests that weight loss during the early weeks of an intervention may be predictive of longer-term weight loss. This secondary analysis of data from a commercial program therefore examined 1) the associations between early weight loss (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Of Review: The goal of this article is to summarize recent guidance on diet and cardiovascular health.
Recent Findings: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the USA, and diet significantly impacts cardiovascular disease risk. The focus of contemporary dietary recommendations has shifted from single nutrient replacements to dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean, healthy USA, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and healthy plant-based patterns.