title: The Effects of 8-week Nigella sativa Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Lipid Profile and VO2 max in Sedentary Overweight Females.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regular moderate intensity physical activity and lipid lowering effects of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) supplementation may be appropriate management for sedentary overweight females. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of long-term N. sativa supplementation and aerobic training on lipid profile and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in sedentary overweight females.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, which was conducted in Kerman city (Iran), 20 sedentary overweight females were divided into two groups and assigned to N. sativa supplementation (N. sativa capsules) or a placebo for the 8 weeks, both groups participated in an aerobic training program (3 times/week). Each N. sativa capsule contained 500 ± 10 mg N. sativa crushed seeds and subjects had to take 2 g N. sativa per day for 8 weeks. Blood lipids and VO2 max were determined at baseline and at the end of 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  N. sativa supplementation lowered total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.01), triglyceride (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001) and body mass index (P < 0.01) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) and VO2 max (P < 0.01). Aerobic training program lowered TC (P < 0.001) and LDL (P < 0.01) and increased VO2 max (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we observed a significant effect of aerobic training program and N. sativa supplementation lowered LDL and HDL (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates that 8-week aerobic training plus N. sativa supplementation have a synergistic effect in improve profile lipid parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmail
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farzaneh
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
authors.forename: Farhad Rahmani
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nia
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehrtash
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh Sadat
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mirmoeini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jalilvand
keywords: Aerobic training; Nigella sativa; lipid profile; overweight