title: Low energy and carbohydrate intake associated with higher total antioxidant capacity in apparently healthy adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary measurements in young and apparently healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 156 individuals (91 women and 65 men; ages 23.1 ± 3.5 y; body mass index 22 ± 2.9 kg/m(2)) for anthropometrics, biochemical markers, clinical, dietary, and some components of the antioxidant defense system, including the plasma TAC. Statistical analyses were performed to detect differences between individuals with TAC higher and lower than the mean value and to screen the associations between TAC and variables of interest. A linear regression model was fitted to identify TAC predictors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily caloric intake and macronutrient consumption were lower in individuals who exhibited the highest TAC values (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that daily calories and carbohydrate intake was a possible negative TAC predictor (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no difference in the values of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the individuals separated by means of TAC. In contrast, individuals whose plasma TAC values were above the mean showed higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values, and selenium in nails (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In physiological conditions, the caloric intake level seems to be an important factor to act in the modulation of plasma TAC, before establishing anthropometric impairments of body or metabolic composition, or both. Additionally, the plasma TAC increase may be able to act as a compensatory mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Center, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kiriaque Barra Ferreira
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Clinical and Nutrition, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Pinheiro
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Volp
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, Center for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: José Luiz
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marques-Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sônia Machado Rocha
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, Navarra University, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Navarro-Blasco
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, Center for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBERobn, Physiopathology of Obesity, Carlos III Institute, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Zulet
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, Center for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBERobn, Physiopathology of Obesity, Carlos III Institute, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jalfmtz@unav.es.
authors.forename: J Alfredo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bressan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009262:Nails / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012016:Reference Values; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D002784:Cholesterol; D012643:Selenium
keywords: Antioxidant assessment; Biomarkers; Dietary intake; Oxidative stress; Total antioxidant capacity