title: Study of the effects of a diet supplemented with active components on lipid and glycemic profiles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently, there are numerous studies on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the potential for functional foods to bring benefits or improve people's health. However, most of these studies are conducted with middle-aged individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a typical diet with some functional components, which are substances that when consumed in small quantities can improve people's welfare.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants in this study were young; slightly overweight; had normal glucose tolerance; and had lipid values indicating dyslipidemia or close dyslipidemia. Following a 4-wk run-in phase, participants followed either a diet containing foods enriched with ω-3 fatty acids, β-glucans, phytosterols, and vitamin E or an isoenergetic diet without the active components. Sixteen individuals (age range 20 to 37 y) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. At the end of treatment, while fasting, plasma concentrations of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol were measured. Furthermore, blood glucose was evaluated after fasting and after a meal enriched with β-glucans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant reduction (α < 0.05) across the lipid profile. A meal rich in β-glucans produced a glycemic response significantly lower than the nonenriched meal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dietary supplements used in this work, based on the integration of functional components into the usual diet of the population, have proved effective in reducing peak levels of postprandial glucose and the risk for dyslipidemia. Therefore, these functional components proved a valuable aid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Langella
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naviglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Economic and Statistical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: Mongallo@unina.it.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005215:Fasting; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007328:Insulin; D010840:Phytosterols; D014280:Triglycerides; D047071:beta-Glucans; D014810:Vitamin E
keywords: Active components; Cardiovascular diseases; Diet; Dyslipidemia; Metabolic disorders; Prevention