Hass avocado modulates postprandial vascular reactivity and postprandial inflammatory responses to a hamburger meal in healthy volunteers.

Hass avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and antioxidants (carotenoids, tocopherols, polyphenols) and are often eaten as a slice in a sandwich containing hamburger or other meats. Hamburger meat forms lipid peroxides during cooking. After ingestion, the stomach functions as a bioreactor generating additional lipid peroxides and this process can be inhibited when antioxidants are ingested together with the meat.

Antioxidant capacity and phytochemical content of herbs and spices in dry, fresh and blended herb paste form.

We determined whether nine common herbs (basil, chili, cilantro, dill, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, oregano, and parsley) and one herb mixture (Italian Herbs) retain the antioxidant capacity (AC) and content of phenolics and characteristic marker compounds during processing to dry and paste forms. Oregano exhibited the highest AC among the herbs tested in dry and fresh forms. Compared with fresh herbs, the AC in dry form was decreased in garlic, chili, dill, oregano and parsley and paste form of oregano and basil.

Antioxidant-rich spice added to hamburger meat during cooking results in reduced meat, plasma, and urine malondialdehyde concentrations.

Background: Emerging science has shown the effect of oxidation products and inflammation on atherogenesis and carcinogenesis. Cooking hamburger meat can promote the formation of malondialdehyde that can be absorbed after ingestion.

Objective: We studied the effect of an antioxidant spice mixture on malondialdehyde formation while cooking hamburger meat and its effects on plasma and urinary malondialdehyde concentrations.

Reduced body weight and adiposity with a high-protein diet improves functional status, lipid profiles, glycemic control, and quality of life in patients with heart failure: a feasibility study.

Background: The effectiveness of high-protein (HP) diets in reducing body weight and adiposity and potentially improving clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) is not known.

Objective: This feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the impact of 3 dietary interventions on body weight and adiposity, functional status, lipid profiles, glycemic control, and quality of life (QOL) in overweight and obese patients with HF and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Design: Fourteen patients with HF with a body mass index greater than 27 kg/m2 were randomized to an HP diet, a standard protein diet, or a conventional diet.

A controlled trial of protein enrichment of meal replacements for weight reduction with retention of lean body mass.

Background: While high protein diets have been shown to improve satiety and retention of lean body mass (LBM), this study was designed to determine effects of a protein-enriched meal replacement (MR) on weight loss and LBM retention by comparison to an isocaloric carbohydrate-enriched MR within customized diet plans utilizing MR to achieve high protein or standard protein intakes.

Methods: Single blind, placebo-controlled, randomized outpatient weight loss trial in 100 obese men and women comparing two isocaloric meal plans utilizing a standard MR to which was added supplementary protein or carbohydrate powder. MR was used twice daily (one meal, one snack).

Cranberry does not affect prothrombin time in male subjects on warfarin.

There have been case reports suggesting that cranberry beverages may interact with warfarin. To date, no research study has been conducted to examine the potential interaction of cranberry and warfarin. The current study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study to investigate the effect of cranberry juice on prothrombin time as assessed by the international normalized ratio (INR).

Health ramifications of the obesity epidemic.

For the first time in human history, the numbers of overweight and underweight individuals are about the same, at 2.1 billion each. Along with the current worldwide obesity epidemic is the explosion of obesity- and overweight-related health problems, including diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders,cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disorders, and certain forms of cancer.

Phytochemical Assays of Commercial Botanical Dietary Supplements.

The growing popularity of botanical dietary supplements (BDS) has been accompanied by concerns regarding the quality of commercial products. Health care providers, in particular, have an interest in knowing about product quality, in view of the issues related to herb-drug interactions and potential side effects. This study assessed whether commercial formulations of saw palmetto, kava kava, echinacea, ginseng and St.

Body weight loss with phentermine alone versus phentermine and fenfluramine with very-low-calorie diet in an outpatient obesity management program: a retrospective study.

Background: Obesity, which is epidemic in the United States, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The combination of diet, exercise, and a behavior-modification program often does not result in ideal body weight.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of phentermine (Phen) alone compared with phentermine plus fenfluramine (Phen-Fen), when used in combination with a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) for weight loss in an outpatient obesity center.