Biography:

Maria Luz Fernandez is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She is a leading authority on the effects of dietary interventions on dyslipidemias, oxidative stress and inflammation as it relates to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. She uses the guinea pig model to elucidate the mechanisms by which different types of fat, dietary fiber, carbohydrate restricted diets and antioxidants reduce the risk for hepatic steatosis, systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Her research has been supported by the Federal Government, Industry and Food Commodities. She has co-authored 235 peer-reviewed papers, 13 book chapters plus over 240 scientific abstracts. She has been invited to present her research in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Ecuador, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Recently the 2015 US Dietary guidelines removed the upper limits for dietary cholesterol. However, due to its cholesterol content, there is still uncertainty regarding egg consumption and risk of heart disease. Further, recent information about the potential role of plasma trimethyl amine-N-oxide (TMAO) in increasing cardiovascular risk, has brought further concerns regarding intake of eggs. In previous studies, we demonstrated that egg consumption does not increase the biomarkers for heart disease in children, young and older populations, subjects with metabolic syndrome or patients with type-2 diabetes. In contrast, eggs have been demonstrated to have protective effects by increasing plasma antioxidants, plasma choline and decreasing the number of atherogenic lipoproteins.

Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that eggs exert protection against chronic disease without increasing the biomarkers for cardiovascular disease

Methods: We conducted a study in which 40 healthy participants following a 2 week washout in which 0 eggs were consumed, they ate 1, 2 and 3 eggs per week for 4 weeks each (see diagram). Following each dietary period, blood was taken and plasma lipids, lipoprotein number and size, plasma carotenoids and other antioxidants in addition to plasma concentrations, a marker of cardiovascular risk were measured.

Results: Compared to 0 egg intake, consuming 1-3 eggs per day resulted in higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and large HDL, all parameters associated with reverse cholesterol transport. Furthermore, no changes in plasma LDL cholesterol were observed when compared to 0 eggs while large LDL, the less atherogenic particle was increased. There was a significant increase (p<0.01) of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin after the consumption of 2 eggs per day as well as on paraoxanase-1 activity and plasma choline. Intake of 1 egg per day was sufficient to increase HDL cholesterol; however more than 2 eggs resulted in higher benefits as seen by the higher concentrations of plasma carotenoids and plasma choline.

Conclusions: These results indicate that egg intake does not increase the biomarkers for heart disease but results in additional anti-oxidant and anti-atherogenic benefits.

 

Biography:

Maria Luz Fernandez is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She is a leading authority on the effects of dietary interventions on dyslipidemias, oxidative stress and inflammation as it relates to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. She uses the guinea pig model to elucidate the mechanisms by which different types of fat, dietary fiber, carbohydrate restricted diets and antioxidants reduce the risk for hepatic steatosis, systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Her research has been supported by the Federal Government, Industry and Food Commodities. She has co-authored 235 peer-reviewed papers, 13 book chapters plus over 240 scientific abstracts. She has been invited to present her research in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Ecuador, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Recently the 2015 US Dietary guidelines removed the upper limits for dietary cholesterol. However, due to its cholesterol content, there is still uncertainty regarding egg consumption and risk of heart disease. Further, recent information about the potential role of plasma trimethyl amine-N-oxide (TMAO) in increasing cardiovascular risk, has brought further concerns regarding intake of eggs. In previous studies, we demonstrated that egg consumption does not increase the biomarkers for heart disease in children, young and older populations, subjects with metabolic syndrome or patients with type-2 diabetes. In contrast, eggs have been demonstrated to have protective effects by increasing plasma antioxidants, plasma choline and decreasing the number of atherogenic lipoproteins.

Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that eggs exert protection against chronic disease without increasing the biomarkers for cardiovascular disease

Methods: We conducted a study in which 40 healthy participants following a 2 week washout in which 0 eggs were consumed, they ate 1, 2 and 3 eggs per week for 4 weeks each (see diagram). Following each dietary period, blood was taken and plasma lipids, lipoprotein number and size, plasma carotenoids and other antioxidants in addition to plasma concentrations, a marker of cardiovascular risk were measured.

Results: Compared to 0 egg intake, consuming 1-3 eggs per day resulted in higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and large HDL, all parameters associated with reverse cholesterol transport. Furthermore, no changes in plasma LDL cholesterol were observed when compared to 0 eggs while large LDL, the less atherogenic particle was increased. There was a significant increase (p<0.01) of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin after the consumption of 2 eggs per day as well as on paraoxanase-1 activity and plasma choline. Intake of 1 egg per day was sufficient to increase HDL cholesterol; however more than 2 eggs resulted in higher benefits as seen by the higher concentrations of plasma carotenoids and plasma choline.

Conclusions: These results indicate that egg intake does not increase the biomarkers for heart disease but results in additional anti-oxidant and anti-atherogenic benefits.

 

Biography:

Maria Luz Fernandez is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She is a leading authority on the effects of dietary interventions on dyslipidemias, oxidative stress and inflammation as it relates to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. She uses the guinea pig model to elucidate the mechanisms by which different types of fat, dietary fiber, carbohydrate restricted diets and antioxidants reduce the risk for hepatic steatosis, systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Her research has been supported by the Federal Government, Industry and Food Commodities. She has co-authored 235 peer-reviewed papers, 13 book chapters plus over 240 scientific abstracts. She has been invited to present her research in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Ecuador, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Recently the 2015 US Dietary guidelines removed the upper limits for dietary cholesterol. However, due to its cholesterol content, there is still uncertainty regarding egg consumption and risk of heart disease. Further, recent information about the potential role of plasma trimethyl amine-N-oxide (TMAO) in increasing cardiovascular risk, has brought further concerns regarding intake of eggs. In previous studies, we demonstrated that egg consumption does not increase the biomarkers for heart disease in children, young and older populations, subjects with metabolic syndrome or patients with type-2 diabetes. In contrast, eggs have been demonstrated to have protective effects by increasing plasma antioxidants, plasma choline and decreasing the number of atherogenic lipoproteins.

Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate that eggs exert protection against chronic disease without increasing the biomarkers for cardiovascular disease

Methods: We conducted a study in which 40 healthy participants following a 2 week washout in which 0 eggs were consumed, they ate 1, 2 and 3 eggs per week for 4 weeks each (see diagram). Following each dietary period, blood was taken and plasma lipids, lipoprotein number and size, plasma carotenoids and other antioxidants in addition to plasma concentrations, a marker of cardiovascular risk were measured.

Results: Compared to 0 egg intake, consuming 1-3 eggs per day resulted in higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and large HDL, all parameters associated with reverse cholesterol transport. Furthermore, no changes in plasma LDL cholesterol were observed when compared to 0 eggs while large LDL, the less atherogenic particle was increased. There was a significant increase (p<0.01) of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin after the consumption of 2 eggs per day as well as on paraoxanase-1 activity and plasma choline. Intake of 1 egg per day was sufficient to increase HDL cholesterol; however more than 2 eggs resulted in higher benefits as seen by the higher concentrations of plasma carotenoids and plasma choline.

Conclusions: These results indicate that egg intake does not increase the biomarkers for heart disease but results in additional anti-oxidant and anti-atherogenic benefits.

 

Biography:

Lonnie Lowery is an exercise physiologist, Registered Dietitian, and Associate Professor at the University of Mount Union, He has 20 years’ experience in teaching  and  He has  published nearly  20 papers in  different types of Journals.

 

 

Abstract:

Little is known what effects caffeine from instant coffee has on pitching performance in baseball. We tested a highly-caffeinated coffee product, Via® instant coffee (VIA) vs. its decaffeinated version (DCF) on college students (18–25 years) with overhand throwing experience. We hypothesized that VIA would enhance pitch speed, pitch accuracy, and the consistency of throws (p<0.05). 14 college aged men and women (18–25) participated in this randomized, double-blind crossover study. Subjects were experienced throwers and consisted of athletes ranging from baseball, softball, and volleyball. Subjects reported to the testing facility in a fasted state and ingested either VIA or DCF 60 minutes prior to testing. Each participant completed a standardized 15 minute warm up. Subjects then threw 10 maximal throws at a 61 square cm target, placed 18.3 m away, using a standard collegiate baseball. Data were analyzed using a commercial radar gun and video recordings (Dartfish 6.0, Fribourg, Switzerland). Subjects returned a week later and completed the alternate intervention. Dependent t-tests were used to compare the speed and accuracy between VIA and DCF groups (Statistica 12, StatSoft, Inc., Tulsa, OK). Pitch consistency was analyzed by comparing coefficient of variation between interventions. These data only partly support our hypothesis that, caffeine enhances pitch speed, pitch consistency and the accuracy of a throw. That is, pitch speed was enhanced while accuracy tended to decrease and consistency was unaffected.

 

 

Biography:

Jong Dae Park received his BS and PhD at the School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea in 1980. Following his PhD in 1987, he took a Post-doctoral course at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Japan in 1990. He has worked as a Project Leader at the Division of Ginseng Efficacy, Korea Ginseng & Tobacco Research Institute. His main research interest is in the field of discovery of new drugs and nutraceuticals from natural sources, which covers isolation and characterization of immunomodulatory acidic polysaccharide from red ginseng and development of anti-rheumatoid arthritis and anti-hypolipidemic agents from ginseng and crude drugs. He is now the Project Investigator for the National Research Project related to development of new materials relieving heat shock stress from Korean ginseng.

 

Abstract:

 

_{The root of Panax ginseng is one of the traditional and folk medicines to be used for many therapeutic purposes in the oriental countries such as Korea, China and Japan for thousands of years. In the present study, a standardized extract, KGR-BG1, showing the higher contents of ginsenosides Rg5, Rk1 and Rg3, was prepared from Korean black ginseng (five times-steamed and dried ginseng), depending upon the extracting and processing methods. The protective effects of KGR-BG1 were investigated against heat stress in a rat model. Following acclimatization for one week, rats were housed at room temperature for two weeks and then exposed to heat stress (40℃/2h/day) for four weeks. Heat stress dramatically increased secretion of inflammatory factors and this was significantly reduced in the KGR-BG1 treated groups. Levels of inflammatory factors such as heat shock protein 70(HSP 70), IL (interleukin)-6, i-NOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) increased in the spleen and muscle on heat stress. KGR-BG1 has been found to inhibit the increase by down-regulation of HSP 70 and the associated NF (nuclear factor)-κB, MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase signaling pathways, indicating it to suppress activation of T-cells and B-cells. A^{s a result, it is considered that KGR-BG1 suppresses t}he immune response by heat stress and decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines in muscle and spleen, suggesting it to protect a suppressed immunomodulatory disorder by inhibiting inflammation and maintaining immune homeostasis.}

Biography:

Kenneth Olson, MD, PhD, is certified in Internal Medicine and in Clinical Nutrition. His PhD is in Nutrition Sciences. He has an active consulting practice of Nutritional Medicine for 30 years in both hospital and outpatient settings. He has taught nutrition to medical students, dental students, postgraduate physicians, and to dietitians as well as community groups. He has published within the field of nutrition and in clinical medicine and animal research directed toward clinical applications. He previously presented posters on Nutrition and AIDS at the National Institutes of Health and at similar meeting in Houston, Texas USA. He has collaborated with Mohammad Khaled, PhD, for many years in the areas of diet composition and the functionality of food associated with clinical outcomes especially involving the immune system and inflammatory processes.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: After ingesting a meal, postprandial inflammation occurs transiently and may have significant negative consequences on human health. Postprandial inflammation is dependent on the food quality and quantity in terms of its energy content and its nutritional value. Minerals and vitamins constitute the nutritional value while carbohydrate, protein and fat, are the sources of energy content.

Objective: Since energy content varies significantly between carbohydrates (4 kcal/g) and fats (9 kcal/g), the objective is to assess postprandial inflammation of an isocaloric, isonitrogenous high carbohydrate (66%) and low fat (20%) diet (HC) versus a high fat (56%) and low carbohydrate (30%) diet (HF) by measuring diet-induced postprandial thermogenesis (DIPT) and inflammation.

Methodology: Healthy, never-obese, postmenopausal, Caucasian female subjects (n=12) participated in this study for 3 weeks each in a crossover design. Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were measured by under-water weighing before and after each diet exposure. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was assessed fasting and for five 40-minute periods over a 6 hours DIPT after ingesting 14.3 kg/FFM of either HC or HF diet.

Results: A low respiratory quotient (RQ) is usually indicative of lipid peroxidation, an important index of inflammation, measured in this study as TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reacting Substances). RQ for HC diet was significantly higher than that of HF in this study. A significant elevation of free fatty acid (FFA) was also observed after ingesting HF diet, which is well-known to be associated in the pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Conclusions & Significance: Postprandial inflammation is also intimately implicated with Glucotoxicity and Lipotoxicity, as displayed under the Image, are well known to be associated with T2DM and CVD. Significant other related facts and figures will be illustrated in the presentation.