Postprandial effects of nuts ingestion on plasma level of nutrients, polyphenolic compounds and biomarkers of antioxidant status in human volunteers

Postprandial effects of pecan nuts ingestion on plasma level of nutrients , polyphenolic compounds and biomarkers of antioxidant status in human volunteers

ABSTRACT

Pecan nuts and walnuts are rich sources of polyphenolic compounds and nutrients , which have antioxidant capacity results in favorable reductions in plasma lipids and lipoproteins . However , the health benefits of these nuts may not be limited to blood lipid changes . There has been very little investigation into the contribution of bioactive components found in nuts to antioxidant protection

To assess the acute effect of treatment diet (75 of

energy from pecan nuts ) and control diet (habitual diet with no nut consumption ) in healthy subjects on plasma and plasma lipid peroxidation . Another setup compared the effect of another treatment diet (where 75 of energy from walnuts ) and control diet . Twelve subjects participated in crossover design study . After an overnight fast , whole pecan , pecan smoothie , whole walnuts , walnut smoothie , and control diet will be consumed by study subjects . Each subject will participate on four occasions one week apart , consuming one of the diets each time . Blood samples will obtained at intervals up to six hours after consumption of the test meal

It is expected that this proposal will provide baseline data needed to evaluate the protective effects of long-term pecan and walnut consumption

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

Statement of the Problem 1

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Questions 4

Theoretical Framework 4

Significance to Preventive Care 6

CHAPTER 2 - REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Overview 10

Conclusions 14

F . Data Analysis .19

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A . Statement of the Problem

Studies through the years have suggested the health benefits that can be derived from incorporating nuts in daily diet of humans . Pecans are rich sources of phytochemicals such as vitamin E , calcium , magnesium potassium , zinc and fiber ADDIN EN .CITE MorganW MorganJ BevwrlyM ClayshultePecans Lower Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in People with Normal Lipid LevelsJournal of the American Dietetic AssociationJournal of the American Dietetic Association312-8 1002000 (Morgan , Bevwrly Clayshulte , 2000 , as well as antioxidants that can have a unique effect on the body ADDIN EN .CITE YochumL YochumA FolsomH KushiIntake of Antioxidant Vitamins and Risk of Death from Stroke in Postmenopausal WomenAmerican Journal of Clinical NutritionAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition476-483 722000 (Yochum , Folsom Kushi , 2000 . Vitamin E in the form of tocopherol comes in different forms in pecan nuts , which protects fats from oxidation . The most abundant form is the gamma-tocopherol and an increase in concentration of gamma-tocopherol in the blood subsequently can reduce oxidation ADDIN EN .CITE HaddadE HaddadPJambazinaJ TanzmanJ SabateA Pecan Enriched Diet Increases Y-Tocopherol /Cholesterol and Decreases Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances in Plasma of AdultsNutrition ResearchNutrition Research397-402 2006 (Haddad , PJambazina , Tanzman Sabate , 2006 . In addition gamma-tocopherol has a protective effect against prostate cancer and may protect the intestine . Pecans are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as prevention of depression , which can interfere with brain function

One study reported that pecans rank highest among all nuts and are among the top category of foods to...