A diet high in whole and unrefined foods favorably alters lipids, antioxidant defenses, and colon function.
OBJECTIVE
Diets rich in whole and unrefined foods, like whole grains, dark green and yellow/orange-fleshed vegetables and fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, contain high concentrations of antioxidant phenolics, fibers and numerous other phytochemicals that may be protective against chronic diseases. This study compared the effects of a phytochemical-rich diet versus a refined-food diet on lipoproteins, antioxidant defenses and colon function.


METHODS
Twelve hyperlipidemic women followed two diets for four weeks starting with a refined-food diet. Subjects then directly crossed over to the phytochemical-rich diet. Duplicate, fasting serum lipids and single, fasting antioxidant enzymes were measured at the end of the four-week refined-food diet period (baseline) and again at the end of the phytochemical-rich diet period.


RESULTS
Total energy and total fat intake were similar during both diet periods, but there was a decrease in saturated fat (SFA) of 61% in the phytochemical-rich diet group. Dietary fiber, vitamin E, vitamin C and carotene intakes were 160%, 145%, 160% and 500% more, respectively, than during the refined-food diet period. The phytochemical-rich diet induced a drop of 13% in total cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.05) and 16% (p < 0.001) in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase decreased 69% (p < 0.01) and glutathione peroxidase dropped 35% (p < 0.01). Colon function was improved on the phytochemical-rich diet.


CONCLUSIONS
A diet abundant in phytochemically-rich foods beneficially affected lipoproteins, decreased need for oxidative defense mechanisms and improved colon function.
Bruce
B
B
Sphera Foundation, Los Altos, California 94023, USA.
Spiller
G A
GA
Klevay
L M
LM
Gallagher
S K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003106:Colon / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005638:Fruit; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014675:Vegetables; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000975:Antioxidants; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008055:Lipids; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid