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A nutrient‐dense, high‐fiber, fruit‐based supplement bar increases HDL cholesterol, particularly large HDL, lowers homocysteine, and raises glutathione in a 2‐wk trial
Author(s) -
MietusSnyder Michele L.,
Shigenaga Mark K.,
Suh Jung H.,
Shenvi Swapna V.,
Lal Ashutosh,
McHugh Tara,
Olson Don,
Lilienstein Joshua,
Krauss Ronald M.,
Gildengoren Ginny,
McCann Joyce C.,
Ames Bruce N.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.11-201558
Subject(s) - homocysteine , medicine , endocrinology , insulin resistance , glutathione , micronutrient , cholesterol , nutrient , chemistry , insulin , biochemistry , pathology , organic chemistry , enzyme
Dietary intake modulates disease risk, but little is known how components within food mixtures affect pathophysiology. A low‐calorie, high‐fiber, fruit‐based nutrient‐dense bar of defined composition ( e.g ., vitamins and minerals, fruit polyphenolics, β‐glucan, docosahexaenoic acid) appropriate for deconstruction and mechanistic studies is described and evaluated in a pilot trial. The bar was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Changes in cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk biomarkers were measured after 2 wk twice‐daily consumption of the bar, and compared against baseline controls in 25 healthy adults. Plasma HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐c) increased 6.2% ( P =0.001), due primarily to a 28% increase in large HDL (HDL‐L; P <0.0001). Total plasma homocysteine (Hcy) decreased 19% ( P =0.017), and glutathione (GSH) increased 20% ( P =0.011). The changes in HDL and Hcy are in the direction associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline; increased GSH reflects improved antioxidant defense. Changes in biomarkers linked to insulin resistance and inflammation were not observed. A defined food‐based supplement can, within 2 wk, positively impact metabolic biomarkers linked to disease risk. These results lay the groundwork for mechanistic/deconstruction experiments to identify critical bar components and putative synergistic combinations responsible for observed effects.—Mietus‐Snyder, M. L., Shigenaga, M. K., Suh, J. H., Shenvi, S. V., Lal, A., McHugh, T., Olson, D., Lilienstein, J., Krauss, R. M., Gildengoren, G., McCann, J. C., Ames, B. N. A nutrient‐dense, high‐fiber, fruit‐based supplement bar increases HDL cholesterol, particularly large HDL, lowers homocysteine, and raises glutathione in a 2‐wk trial. FASEB J. 26, 3515–3527 (2012). www.fasebj.org