Resveratrol May Significantly Improve Serum Levels of Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Results of the dose-response meta-analysis including 17 RCTs show that resveratrol supplementation significantly decreased TC (p < 0.001), TG (p < 0.001), and LDL-C (p=0.038). Furthermore, results from the sub-group analysis show that a more significant reduction of LDL-C was observed in trials with a duration of 12 weeks.  (more…)

Water-Soluble Tomato Concentrate Inhibits Platelet Activation and Aggregation in Healthy Middle-Aged and Elderly Subjects

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Results of the 10-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial show that WSTC increased the serum total antioxidant capacity levels (p<0.05), while attenuating platelet endogenous reactive oxygen species generation (p<0.05), and inhibiting platelet aggregation and activation (p<0.05).  (more…)

Higher Potassium Intake Associated with Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Both men and women within the highest tertile of potassium intake had a lower risk of CVD events compared with those within the lowest tertile of potassium intake, but the HR associated with high potassium intake was lower in women than in men (fully adjusted model: men: HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–1.00; women: HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.95).  (more…)

Vitamin D3 Repletion Improves Vascular Function and Reduces Full Length Osteopontin in Vitamin D Deficient African American Subjects

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Monthly supplementation of 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol was associated with a 2-fold increase in vitamin D levels, from 17 ± 5 ng/mL to 35 ± 7 ng/mL (p < 0.0001) after 12 weeks. Serum levels of log transformed flOPN were significantly reduced (p=0.03) and log FGF-23 was increased in the treated group (p = 0.04). (more…)

Effects of Melatonin for Delirium in Elderly Acute Heart Failure Patients

Written by Marlene Hollick, Ed.D., R.D. Based on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study exploring the effects of melatonin on delirium in elderly acute heart failure patients while in the ICU, results demonstrated that melatonin could reduce the incidence of delirium, average lengths of stay, and costs of hospitalization. (more…)

Consumption of α-Linolenic Acid Linked to Lower CVD Risk & May Play a Role in Reduced Rates of Cognitive Decline

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Analyses of observational studies show that increasing ALA intake is associated with a 10% lower risk of total CVD, while a prospective cohort study reported that higher ALA consumption was associated with slower decline in global cognitive functioning.   (more…)

Insufficient Vitamin D Levels Associated with Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Analysis of a prospective cohort study with data collected from around 267, 980 subjects, using Mendelian randomization framework, resulted in a non-linear association between 25(OH)D levels and CVD risk. Every 10 nmol/L increase in serum 25(OH)D levels was associated with 1.6% lower odds of CVD.  (more…)