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Yoga as a Preventive Intervention for Cardiovascular Diseases and Associated Comorbidities: Open-Label Single Arm Study.
Sharma, K, Basu-Ray, I, Sayal, N, Vora, A, Bammidi, S, Tyagi, R, Modgil, S, Bali, P, Kaur, P, Goyal, AK, et al
Frontiers in public health. 2022;10:843134
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Cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of mortality, is on the rise. Inactivity and poor dietary habits can contribute to fat accumulation, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Yoga is a cost-effective physical activity that may reduce lipid levels. In addition, the practice of yoga may help manage stress, another contributing factor. In this open-label study, AYUSH yoga for 30 days for one hour per day was assessed to improve dyslipidaemia among healthy, comorbid, and trainer participants. The healthy-naive group's cholesterol profile improved significantly compared to the diseased group. Experienced trainers' lipid profiles differed significantly from those of yoga-naive volunteers. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly lower than baseline. A significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and BMI was observed among yoga-naive and healthy participants. In addition, the trainer group had significantly lower LDL and TC/HDL ratios and higher HDL levels. Compared to the comorbid yoga group, the healthy yoga group showed significant differences in physiological parameters such as systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and weight after a month of practice, demonstrating that yoga was more effective in healthy participants. These results can help healthcare professionals understand yoga's preventative effects on cardiovascular disease. However, as the current evidence is limited, more robust studies are needed.
Abstract
Aim: Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) is a standardized yoga protocol authored by experts from all over the world under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH, Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy (AYUSH). The potential of CYP can be determined as a cost-effective lifestyle modification to prevent the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods: In this prospective trial, we compared the effect of CYP at baseline and after 1 month. A total of 374 yoga-naïve participants performed CYP under the supervision of experienced trainers. Physiological [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, percent oxygen saturation], biochemical (fasting blood glucose and lipid profile), and neurocognitive parameters were measured before and after the intervention. Results: At day 30 of yoga practice, serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were found significantly improved as compared to the baseline levels observed at the time of enrollment. Similarly, the lipid profile was also obtained from experienced trainers and found to be significantly different from those of yoga-naïve volunteers. When the intervention was compared between the healthy yoga-naïve participants with yoga-naïve participants suffering from medical issues, it was found that cholesterol profile improved significantly in the healthy-naive group as compared to the diseased group (hypertension, diabetes, underwent surgery, and CVD). Conclusion: These results highlight the need for further research to better understand the effects of yoga on the primary prevention of CVD.
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Calorie restriction regime enhances physical performance of trained athletes.
Pons, V, Riera, J, Capó, X, Martorell, M, Sureda, A, Tur, JA, Drobnic, F, Pons, A
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2018;15:12
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Athletes commonly aim to reduce body weight to improve their strength-to-mass ratio. In this study caloric restriction (CR) of 33% was achieved through alternate day fasting in trained athletes, which the authors hypothesised to be more easy to adhere to than daily reduced energy intake. The macronutrient composition remained the same as prior to calorie reduction. Study participants lost an average of 4.4% in body weight over 6 weeks, most of which came from fat, 15.1%. Despite also losing some lean mass (2.9%), exercise performance of the athletes improved, as did energy efficiency, possibly due to increased mitochondrial efficiency. Nutritional record analysis revealed that athletes ingested less than the RDA for several nutrients prior to the CR intervention, and intake was even lower with CR. The authors conclude that CR may be a good way for athletes to achieve weight loss as, unlike other body weight reduction techniques, the alternate day fasting CR improved physical performance. They suggest though that to ensure adequate micronutrient intake, supplementation may be required.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caloric restriction induces mitochondrial biogenesis and improves physical fitness in rodents. We aimed to provide evidence of how caloric restriction affects the body composition and physical performance of trained athletes and to evaluate the possible impact of an every-other-day feeding diet on nutritional deficiencies of micronutrients and essential fatty acids. METHODS The study was performed with 12 healthy male athletes by carrying out a 33% caloric restriction with respect to their usual diet. Athletes performed a maximal exercise stress test both before and after the caloric restriction period. Blood samples were taken before and after the caloric restriction at basal conditions and 30 min post-exercise. Although energy intake was reduced by about 33%, the contribution of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids to total energy intake during the caloric restriction was similar to the original diet. RESULTS The caloric restriction reduced the daily specific micronutrient intake to values lower than 90% of recommended dietary allowances. No effects were observed in blood parameters related to iron metabolism and tissue damage, glucose levels, lipid profiles, or erythrocyte fatty acid composition. In addition, oxidative damage markers decreased after the nutritional intervention. The caloric restriction intervention significantly reduced body weight and trunk, arm, and leg weights; it also caused a decrease in fat and lean body mass, the energy expenditure rate when performing a maximal exercise stress test, and the energy cost to run one meter at various exercise intensities. Furthermore, the intervention ameliorated the onset of the anaerobic phase of exercise. CONCLUSION A caloric restriction improves athletes' performance and energy efficiency, but reduces the daily intake of micronutrients; so, when caloric restriction programs are implemented micronutrient supplementation should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION The project was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02533479).
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Exercise before breakfast increases 24-h fat oxidation in female subjects.
Iwayama, K, Kawabuchi, R, Nabekura, Y, Kurihara, R, Park, I, Kobayashi, M, Ogata, H, Kayaba, M, Omi, N, Satoh, M, et al
PloS one. 2017;12(7):e0180472
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The timing of exercise in relation to food intake can affect the impact on fat reduction. The aim of this small randomised trial of 9 female subjects was to study the effect of exercise done following food intake compared to a fasting state on 24 hour fat breakdown. Measurements were taken over 24 hours using a metabolic chamber. The results showed that exercise performed in a fasted state increased 24 hour fat release in female subjects. Whilst this is a very small study, Nutrition Practitioners may want to discuss exercise timing with their clients who are engaging in a weight loss programme.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exercise performed in a postprandial state does not increase 24-h fat oxidation of male and female subjects. Conversely, it has been shown in male subjects that exercise performed in a postabsorptive state increases 24-h fat oxidation compared with that in sedentary control and that with exercise trials performed after breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There is a paucity of study evaluating the effect of exercise performed in a postabsorptive state in female subjects. METHOD Nine young female subjects participated in indirect calorimetry measurement over 24-h using a room-size metabolic chamber in which subjects remained sedentary or performed 60 min exercise before breakfast at 50% of [Formula: see text]. Exercise was accompanied by an increase in energy intake to ensure that subjects were in a similar state of energy balance over 24 h for the two trials. FINDINGS Compared with the sedentary condition, exercise performed before breakfast increased 24-h fat oxidation (519 ± 37 vs. 400 ± 41 kcal/day). Time courses of relative energy balance differed between trials with transient negative energy balance observed before breakfast. The lowest values of relative energy balance observed during the 24-h calorimetry, i.e., transient energy deficit, were greater in exercise trials than in sedentary trials. The transient deficit in carbohydrate balance was also observed before breakfast, and magnitude of the deficit was greater in exercise trial compared to that of sedentary trial. INTERPRETATION Under energy-balanced conditions, exercise performed in a post-absorptive state increases 24-h fat oxidation in female subjects. The effect of exercise performed before breakfast can be attributed to nutritional state: a transient deficit in energy and carbohydrate at the end of exercise.
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The Effect of a 12-Week Health Training Program on Selected Anthropometric and Biochemical Variables in Middle-Aged Women.
Pilch, W, Tota, Ł, Sadowska-Krępa, E, Piotrowska, A, Kępińska, M, Pałka, T, Maszczyk, A
BioMed research international. 2017;2017:9569513
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Regular physical activity is an important factor for health. This study evaluated physiological and biochemical changes induced by a 12 week regular exercise programme in healthy middle-aged women. 15 healthy women aged 42-47 participated in this programme which consisted of three 45 minutes high and low impact aerobics classes for 12 weeks. Body composition and biochemical markers were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks. The investigators observed a significant increase in lean body mass, and a decrease in total weight and fat mass. Biochemical markers showed decreased inflammation, increased antioxidant status and an improvement in lipid profiles (these had been within normal range at baseline). The authors also determined vitamin D status of the participants. Vitamin D levels were within normal range at baseline and did not change during the duration of the study. Higher vitamin D levels were correlated with better antioxidant status. The authors conclude that regular aerobic exercise had beneficial effects on body composition, antioxidant status, inflammatory markers and lipid profiles. The main limitation of this study was a lack of control group.
Abstract
Regular moderate physical activity positively affects health, fitness, and body composition; it regulates the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Vitamin D plays an important regulatory role; its adequate levels correlate with low values of inflammation markers and an increase in muscle strength and fitness in exercising people. The study's aim was to evaluate changes in somatic variables, oxidative stress, and inflammation markers, as well as blood calcidiol concentration in middle-aged healthy women after 12 weeks of aerobics classes-endurance exercises, including choreographic sequences, aiming to improve fitness and motor coordination. The training led to a significant reduction of body mass and fat tissue; it induced an increase in lean body mass. After the 12-week training program, plasma antioxidant status increased (0.65 ± 0.21, p < 0.01) and the concentration of lipid peroxidation products decreased (0.07 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). A significant increase in plasma antioxidant status associated with training could have reduced the level of proinflammatory interleukin as indicated by a positive correlation between these variables (rs = 0.64, p < 0.05). The study proved that a 12-week health training program in physically inactive middle-aged women might provide improvements in their anthropometric parameters and selected biochemical indicators.
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Effects of eight weeks of time-restricted feeding (16/8) on basal metabolism, maximal strength, body composition, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors in resistance-trained males.
Moro, T, Tinsley, G, Bianco, A, Marcolin, G, Pacelli, QF, Battaglia, G, Palma, A, Gentil, P, Neri, M, Paoli, A
Journal of translational medicine. 2016;14(1):290
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Time-restricted feeding (TRF) allows subjects to consume ad libitum energy intake within a defined window of time, which means a fasting window of 12–21 h per day is employed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an isoenergetic TRF protocol on body composition, athletic performance, and metabolic factors during resistance training in healthy resistance trained males. The study enrolled thirty-four resistance-trained males. The participants were randomly assigned to a TRF group (n = 17) or standard diet group (n = 17). Training was standardized for both groups. Results indicate that after 8 weeks, a significant decrease in fat mass was observed in the TRF group, while fat-free mass was maintained in both groups. The same trend was observed for arm and thigh muscle cross-sectional area. Leg press maximal strength increased significantly, but no difference was present between treatments. Authors conclude that TRF can maintain muscle mass, reducing body fat, and reducing inflammation markers and anabolic hormones. This kind of regimen could be adopted by athletes during maintenance phases of training in which the goal is to maintain muscle mass while reducing fat mass.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular dietary approach used for weight loss and overall health. While there is an increasing body of evidence demonstrating beneficial effects of IF on blood lipids and other health outcomes in the overweight and obese, limited data are available about the effect of IF in athletes. Thus, the present study sought to investigate the effects of a modified IF protocol (i.e. time-restricted feeding) during resistance training in healthy resistance-trained males. METHODS Thirty-four resistance-trained males were randomly assigned to time-restricted feeding (TRF) or normal diet group (ND). TRF subjects consumed 100 % of their energy needs in an 8-h period of time each day, with their caloric intake divided into three meals consumed at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. The remaining 16 h per 24-h period made up the fasting period. Subjects in the ND group consumed 100 % of their energy needs divided into three meals consumed at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 8 p.m. Groups were matched for kilocalories consumed and macronutrient distribution (TRF 2826 ± 412.3 kcal/day, carbohydrates 53.2 ± 1.4 %, fat 24.7 ± 3.1 %, protein 22.1 ± 2.6 %, ND 3007 ± 444.7 kcal/day, carbohydrates 54.7 ± 2.2 %, fat 23.9 ± 3.5 %, protein 21.4 ± 1.8). Subjects were tested before and after 8 weeks of the assigned diet and standardized resistance training program. Fat mass and fat-free mass were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and muscle area of the thigh and arm were measured using an anthropometric system. Total and free testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, blood glucose, insulin, adiponectin, leptin, triiodothyronine, thyroid stimulating hormone, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. Bench press and leg press maximal strength, resting energy expenditure, and respiratory ratio were also tested. RESULTS After 8 weeks, the 2 Way ANOVA (Time * Diet interaction) showed a decrease in fat mass in TRF compared to ND (p = 0.0448), while fat-free mass, muscle area of the arm and thigh, and maximal strength were maintained in both groups. Testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1 decreased significantly in TRF, with no changes in ND (p = 0.0476; p = 0.0397). Adiponectin increased (p = 0.0000) in TRF while total leptin decreased (p = 0.0001), although not when adjusted for fat mass. Triiodothyronine decreased in TRF, but no significant changes were detected in thyroid-stimulating hormone, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, or triglycerides. Resting energy expenditure was unchanged, but a significant decrease in respiratory ratio was observed in the TRF group. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an intermittent fasting program in which all calories are consumed in an 8-h window each day, in conjunction with resistance training, could improve some health-related biomarkers, decrease fat mass, and maintain muscle mass in resistance-trained males.
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Physiologic and behavioral indicators of energy deficiency in female adolescent runners with elevated bone turnover.
Barrack, MT, Van Loan, MD, Rauh, MJ, Nichols, JF
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2010;92(3):652-9
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Young female runners are more likely to have a low bone mass for their age. It is thought that this might be partly due to them using more energy (calories) than they consume. This study looked at the relationship between nutrition intake and biomarkers of bone turnover in young female runners. Participants were competitive cross-country runners, aged 14-17. The girls ate their usual diet and kept a food diary for a week, to allow the researchers to analyse their nutritional intakes. Runners that had an elevated bone turnover consumed significantly less calories and calcium than the runners with a normal bone turnover. They were also more likely to have a lower body mass, fewer menstrual cycles, lower oestrogen and vitamin D levels, lower BMI and lower bone mass. The authors concluded that nutritional support to increase energy and calcium intake, and vitamin D levels may improve bone growth in young female runners.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female adolescent runners have an elevated prevalence of low bone mass for agemdashan outcome that may be partially due to inadequate energy intake. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate diet, menstrual history, serum hormone concentrations, and bone mass in female adolescent runners with normal or abnormal bone turnover. DESIGN Thirty-nine cross-country runners (age: 15.7 plusmn 0.2 y) participated in the study, which included a 7-d dietary assessment with the use of a food record and daily 24-h dietary recalls; serum measures of insulin-like growth factor I, estradiol, leptin, parathyroid hormone, progesterone, triiodothyronine, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and cross-linked C-telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX); an evaluation of height, weight, bone mass, and body composition with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; and a questionnaire to assess menses and sports participation. Age- and sex-specific BAP and CTX concentrations of at least the 97th percentile and no greater than the third percentile, respectively, were considered abnormal. RESULTS All abnormal BAP and CTX concentrations fell within the elevated ( ge 97%) range. Runners with an elevated bone turnover (EBT) (n = 13) had a lower body mass, fewer menstrual cycles in the past year, lower estradiol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations, and a higher prevalence of body mass index lt 10% for age, vitamin D insufficiency, amenorrhea, and low bone mass. Girls with EBT consumed less than the recommended amounts of energy and had a higher prevalence of consuming lt 1300 mg Ca than did those with normal bone turnover. CONCLUSIONS Runners with EBT had a profile consistent with energy deficiency. Nutritional support to increase energy, calcium intake, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations may improve bone mineral accrual in young runners with EBT. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01059968.