title: Brazilian nut consumption improves selenium status and glutathione peroxidase activity and reduces atherogenic risk in obese women.
abstract: Studies have shown that there are inverse relationships between nut consumption and the reduction of cardiovascular risk. This study tested the hypothesis that daily consumption of Brazilian nuts would have a positive effect upon selenium (Se) status, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity, lipid profile, and atherogenic risk in severely obese women. Thirty-seven severely obese women each consumed 1 Brazilian nut a day (290 μg of Se a day) for 8 weeks. Blood Se concentrations, total erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity, lipid profile, and Castelli I and II indexes were evaluated before and after the nuts consumption. All the patients were Se deficient at baseline; this deficiency was remedied by the consumption of the Brazilian nut (P < .0001). The intake of Brazilian nuts promoted a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P < .00001), which then resulted in a significant improvement of the Castelli I (P < .0002) and II (P < .0004) indexes. This study shows that obese people who implement daily consumption of Brazilian nuts can improve both Se status and lipid profile, especially high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, thereby reducing cardiovascular risks.
authors: Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
authors: Cristiane
authors: C
authors: Cominetti
authors: Maritsa C
authors: MC
authors: de Bortoli
authors: Arthur B
authors: AB
authors: Garrido
authors: Silvia M F
authors: SM
authors: Cozzolino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D031383:Bertholletia / Q000737:chemistry*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009754:Nuts; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium