Serum Ceramide Kinase as a Biomarker of Cognitive Functions, and the Effect of Using Two Slimming Dietary Therapies in Obese Middle Aged Females.
OBJECTIVE
Highlighting the impact of obesity on mental and cognitive functions using serum ceramide kinase enzyme concentration as a biomarker for cognitive evaluation in the middle aged females, and also targeting to control the obesity and simultaneously postponing the deterioration of the cognitive functions, by implementing two slimming dietary therapies each incorporating different functional ingredients known to boost cognition.


METHODS
Ninety six obese middle aged females, divided into two groups volunteered to follow a low caloric balanced diet combined with two bread supplements composed essentially of barley flour and wheat germ mixed with either 5% turmeric, group (A); or with 5% ginger, group (B) for 4 weeks, phase (1); to be followed by the hypocaloric diet alone for another 4 weeks, phase (2).


RESULTS
By the end of phase (1), the biochemical analysis showed a positive response of the levels of C-peptide and modified homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance; also increased levels of the serum ceramide kinase enzyme, coupled with improved cognitive functions tests. Improvement of the relevant metabolic profile, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and the anthropometric measurements was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Using dietary therapy supported by special formulas which contain active ingredients succeeded in reducing weight and improving both the metabolic profile and the cognitive functions.
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Maha I A
MI
Moaty
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Suzanne
S
Fouad
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Salwa M
SM
El Shebini
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Yusr M I
YM
Kazem
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Nihad H
NH
Ahmed
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Magda S
MS
Mohamed
Food Technology Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt (Affiliation ID: 60014618).
Ahmed M S
AM
Hussein
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Atiat M
AM
Arafa
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Laila M
LM
Hanna
Nutrition and Food Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Salwa T
ST
Tapozada
Cognitive function; ceramide kinase enzyme; dietary therapy; middle aged females; obesity